Valentine’s Day has deep roots in the Catholic Church, originating as a liturgical feast day established by Pope Gelasius I in 496 A.D. to honor St. Valentine, a 3rd-century Roman martyr. However, the current commercialization of Valentine’s Day can make it unappealing. Here are a few ideas from Aleteia on how to celebrate St. Valentine’s Day in a Catholic manner:
- Attend Mass – While not everyone can attend Mass on February 14, it can still be an intimate moment for both couples and single individuals. It is a time to be united with the whole Church and to pray for an increase in love of our neighbor.
- Give a saint card to someone you love – St. Francis de Sales encouraged an alternative practice where a saint is picked for someone, and a card is given to them with the name of the saint they could try to imitate. He wrote in a letter, “You ask me, my dear daughter, what bouquet you can give to your Valentine. It should be made of some little acts of virtue which you should practice expressly for the sake of this heavenly Valentine.”
- Express your love for your family members – Even if you don’t have a spouse or children, St. Valentine’s Day can give you the chance to express your love and appreciation for your parents, siblings, or cousins. It doesn’t have to be a day about romantic love, but also about our heartfelt love of our family.
- Give to God a bouquet of good deeds – We should not forget God on St. Valentine’s Day. While we may not be able to give him physical roses, God would greatly appreciate a spiritual bouquet of good deeds we offer to him.
- Read about the real St. Valentine – Often, St. Valentine himself is forgotten on his own feast day. Take some time to read about him and learn more about the heroic early Church martyr.