ST. VALENTINE, a holy priest, physician and martyr of Rome --- He secretly married the couples and was eventually caught, imprisoned and tortured for performing marriage ceremonies against command of Emperor Claudius II. He was released but was later arrested again, for continuing to try to convert people to Christianity, condemned to death for his faith, beaten with clubs, and finally beheaded on Feb. 14, AD 270. But while in jail, he healed the jailer's blind daughter. On the day of his execution, he left the girl a note signed, "Your Valentine."
----------- PRAYER TO ST. VALENTINE --------
O holy Martyr, St. Valentine, pray for the Faithful, who are celebrating thy memory. The day of Judgment will reveal to us all thy glorious merits. Oh! intercede for us, that we may then be made thy companions at the right hand of the Great Judge, and be united with thee eternally in heaven.
Antiphon: --- This Saint fought, even unto death, for the law of God, and feared not the words of the wicked; for he was set upon a firm rock.
------- Let us pray -------
Grant, we beseech thee, O Almighty God, that we who solemnize the festival of blessed Valentine, Thy Martyr, may, by his intercession, be delivered from all the evils that threaten us. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Pray OUR FATHER, HAIL MARY and GLORY BE . .
