Catholic Dads

Happy St. Valentines Day

February 14th, 2009

With thanks to American Minute with Bill Federer

In the 3rd century, Emperor Claudius II was faced with defending the
Roman Empire from the invading Goths.

He believed single men made better soldiers so he temporarily forbade
marriage.

He also forced the Senate to deify the former Emperor Gallienus,
including him with the Roman gods to be worshipped.

Legend has it that Valentine was a bishop in Italy who risked the
Emperor’s wrath by refusing to worship idols and for secretly
marrying young couples.

Saint Valentine was dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who condemned
him to be beaten to death with clubs and have his head cut off,
FEBRUARY 14, 269AD.

While awaiting execution, it is said he prayed for the jailers’ sick
daughter, who miraculously recovered.

He wrote her a note and signed it, “from your Valentine.”

In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius designated February 14th as “Saint
Valentine’s Day.”

Signing an X for a kiss began in Medieval times where those who could
not write marked a criss-cross or “Christ’s cross” in the presence of
witnesses and kissed it to show sincerity.

The X, or Chi symbol, was the Greek letter used to represent the name
of Christ, as X-Mas for Christmas, and was used as a written form of
the oath “So help me God.”

Vivat Jesus,

Dan

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