Valentine was a holy priest who lived in Rome. Along with St. Marius, he helped the martyrs to die a good and holy death. He gave them the Sacraments of Holy Communion and Extreme Unction to help them on their journey to Heaven.
While he was performing these holy deeds of charity, the Roman soldiers discovered him. But because St. Valentine was admired by all the people-and even by the Emperor-for his virtue and wisdom, he was not put to death at once. The Emperor himself sent for him and welcomed him kindly. He invited him to sit down beside him. Then he asked him, “Why did such a wise man as you lower yourself to join a religion that is against the gods of Rome?”
“Sir,” answered Valentine gently, “if you knew the God I adore, you would hate the religion that makes you worship devils. You would be proud to adore the only true God, the Creator of Heaven and earth. Only He can make you and all your people truly happy.”
The Emperor wanted to know more about the Christian religion, and St. Valentine answered all his questions with great wisdom. The people of the court became angry. They did not like to see their Emperor interested in the religion of the Christians. The Emperor saw that they were angry. He thought more about pleasing men than pleasing God. So he turned the Saint over to the governor to be judged. That is how St. Valentine, too, suffered martyrdom for his beloved Jesus. He was beaten with clubs and later beheaded.
St. Valentine was a man of great virtue because he knew his religion well. The more we learn about our Faith, the more we will want to grow in every virtue.
