From Mr. Stone’s Desk Greetings Friends of Saint James Catholic School, This Friday, February 14 th , many people will observe and celebrate Valentine’s Day. The Catholic Church no longer officially honors St. Valentine, but the holiday has both Roman and Catholic roots. While there are varying opinions as to the origin of Valentine’s Day, I’m going with those folks who state that it originated from a priest, Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. In short, here is a summation of his story. Under the rule of Emperor Claudius II Rome was involved in many bloody and unpopular campaigns. Claudius the Cruel was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military leagues. He believed that the reason was that Roman men did not want to leave their loves or families. As a result, Claudius cancelled all marriages and engagements in Rome. The good Valentine was a priest at Rome in the days of Claudius II. He and Saint Marius aided the Christian martyrs and secretly married couples. For this kind deed Valentine was apprehended and dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head cut off. Valentine suffered martyrdom on Feb. 14 th , 269 A.D. Legend also says that Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer’s daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it, “Love from your Valentine.” In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 th to honor Saint Valentine. Although the mid-February holiday celebrating love and lovers remains wildly popular, the confusion over its origins led the Catholic Church, in 1969, to drop St. Valentine's Day from the Roman calendar of official, worldwide Catholic feasts. (Those highly sought-after days are reserved for saints with more clear historical record. After all, the saints are real individuals for us to imitate.) Some parishes, however, observe the feast of St. Valentine. Now every year on February 14 th many people remember and exchange friendship and/or love messages. You, however, may also now remember the life of Valentine, recalling how the Emperor Claudius tried to stand in the way of love, but knowing that love can’t be beaten. Love for one another is what God calls us to do. Love never fails. What do you love? How do your choices, prayers, resources, and actions reflect such? Peace, David "Love Never Fails" – By Brandon Heath Love is not proud Love does not boast Love after all Matters the most Love does not run Love does not hide Love does not keep Locked inside Love is the river that flows through Love never fails you Love will sustain Love will provide Love will not cease At the end of time Love will protect Love always hopes Love still believes When you don't Love is the arms that are holding you Love never fails you When my heart won't make a sound When I can't turn back around When the sky is falling down Nothing is greater than this Greater than this Love is right here Love is alive Love is the way The truth the life Love is the river that flows through Love is the arms that are holding you Love is the place you will fly to Love never fails you Cougar Paw Prints A Publication of St. James Catholic School – 2019-2020 Edition 22 Enter to Learn. Go Forth to Serve. Visit us at: www.sjcstx.org Est. 1878
Transcript
From Mr. Stone’s Desk
Greetings Friends of Saint James Catholic School,
This Friday, February 14th, many people will observe
and celebrate Valentine’s Day. The Catholic Church
no longer officially honors St. Valentine, but the
holiday has both Roman and Catholic roots. While
there are varying opinions as to the origin of
Valentine’s Day, I’m going with those folks who state
that it originated from a priest, Valentine, a Roman
who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity.
In short, here is a summation of his story.
Under the rule of Emperor Claudius II Rome was
involved in many bloody and unpopular campaigns.
Claudius the Cruel was having a difficult time
getting soldiers to join his military leagues. He
believed that the reason was that Roman men did not
want to leave their loves or families. As a result,
Claudius cancelled all marriages and engagements
in Rome.
The good Valentine was a priest at Rome in the days
of Claudius II. He and Saint Marius aided the
Christian martyrs and secretly married couples. For
this kind deed Valentine was apprehended and
dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who condemned
him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his
head cut off.
Valentine suffered martyrdom on Feb. 14th, 269 A.D.
Legend also says that Valentine left a farewell note for
the jailer’s daughter, who had become his friend, and
signed it, “Love from your Valentine.” In 496 A.D.
Pope Gelasius set aside February 14th to honor Saint
Valentine.
Although the mid-February holiday celebrating love
and lovers remains wildly popular, the confusion over
its origins led the Catholic Church, in 1969, to drop
