Origin Of Valentine's Day

Each February, in places around the world, friends exchange flowers, gifts, and candy in celebration of Valentine's Day. The name of St. Valentine is known across the globe as a patron saint. Most of us however, do not know the true origin of St. Valentine and how this special day came to be. What we do know is that February is the month of romance. As we know it today, St. Valentine's Day contains elements of both ancient Roman and Christian traditions. The Catholic Church recognizes at least three martyred saints names Valentine or
Valentineus.

One of the common legends states that Valentine was a priest that served in third century Rome. At the time, Emperor Claudius II declared that single males made superior soldiers than did those who had wives and children and he outlawed marriage for all young men in order to optimize his potential army of soldiers. Valentine immediately realized the injustice in this declaration and continued to perform marriages in secret ceremonies, which was in direct defiance of Emperor Claudius II.

Upon learning of Valentine's actions, the Emperor immediately had him put to death.

There are additional stories surrounding Valentine that suggest he was killed for attempting to assist Christians in escaping Roman prisons where they were often tortured and beaten. If one particular legend holds true, Valentine himself sent the first ever "valentine" greeting.

It is believed that Valentine fell in love with a jailer's daughter while in prison. The girl had visited Valentine in jail, during which time Valentine fell deeply in love with her. It is thought that before his death, Valentine sent her a letter that he signed "From Your Valentine".

By the time of Valentine's death and subsequent sainthood, he was one of the most popular legends in England and France during the Middle Ages.

The early pastors of Roman Christian churches used St. Valentine's Day as the day young men chose maidens from the congregation as potential brides. Since that time there have been many traditions that have become an important part of Valentine's Day. Cards, gifts, and the promise of
eternal love are the most common way that we express our feelings on this very special day each year. In the United States, the first commercially printed Valentine's Day cards began appearing in the early 1800s. Since that time, Valentine's Day has become a highly profitable business in which millions of dollars are spent each year.

While we enjoy and anticipate Valentine's Day and the gifts we will give and receive, it is important to remember that this very special day originated with no gifts whatsoever, but rather an promise of eternal love and happiness that cost nothing at all.

St. Patrick's Day Traditions

On March 17, 431AD, when Patrick of Ireland died, a new holiday was born.  Though the celebrations began in the 700's as a traditional Catholic Holy Day, over the years St. Patrick's Day has become more a secular holiday which marks the beginning for spring.  The official date for the beginning of spring is March 21, and this also supports the tradition of wearing green.  Green is the color for life and growth and if you desire good luck and on this day, you should "be wearin' a touch o' the green!


The spreading of Christianity and Catholicism to the Irish of the 4th and 5th century is mainly attributed to St. Patrick, who received the name of Patrick while in seminary after his captivity in Ireland. Traditions that originated back in the 7th century have changed from being strictly religious to a St. Patrick's Day where "everybody is Irish for the day".  Catholics will start the day off at early mass which signifies the beginning of the holiday.  Tradition has it that St. Patrick often used a Shamrock to explain to pagans the concept of the Trinity.  The trinity is the Father, Son and Holy Ghost which Christians know all stem from the same God –  three in one like the Shamrock plant - three leaves from one stem. If you are wearing a shamrock you can claim Good Luck or Blessings!  The tradition of the Shamrock still remains though most don't know the reason behind it; but it still means Good Luck! to whoever wears it or receives it.


St. Patrick's Day was first observed as a holiday in the United States in 1737.  The US was still under the authority of the British because the Revolutionary War that gave freedom didn't even start until 1776.  So even though many of the Irish had not yet arrived to our shores yet, St. Patrick's Day was still considered a very important holiday.   Queen's NY started the first parade in honor of St. Patrick and as a result, St. Patrick's Day parades are popular all across the country.  Parades are a great way to celebrate this day!


If you need a tad bit more good luck to start your season off, invite a Leprechaun to accompany you throughout the day.  They are packed with good luck – and are kind of cute, to boot!


Of course, one of the most popular traditions that goes only with St. Patrick's Day is the drinking of particularly green ale. Green is the color of the day! For this holiday, there should be no bar or tavern which does not add some green food coloring to a keg of draft beer to serve mugs of tinted beer to its customers.  And of course Irish cream and Irish Whiskey ought to be available too, but make sure the kids get green lemonade or 7UP!


St. Patrick's Day is a day of fun for all ages.