St. Valentine's Day, February 14

The Church’s calendar of saints retains St. Valentine but not in a prominent spot because his life story is not verified. However, in the U.S., St. Valentine’s Day is celebrated with many tokens of love, especially romantic love. The real St. Valentine was a third-century martyr, maybe a priest, persecuted under a Roman emperor. Valentine’s legend says he married couples in secret Christian ceremonies, performed miracles, converted enemies, and once signed a note, “Your Valentine.”