Valentine’s Day was Feb. 14. People in countries as far apart as Japan, the United States , Australia and France send Valentine cards to someone they fancy on 14 February, St Valentine’s Day. Most cards are romantic and express secret love messages which don’t let on who the sender is.Who is this saint whose fame has spread around the world ? In truth, there are 52 St Valentines, but no one knows which gave his name to Valentine’s Day. One fact is acknowledged by love historians: all the likely candidates were martyred , dying with their knots of celibacy still securely tied. One Valentine gave aid to persecuted Christians, and while in prison for this he formed a friendship with the blind daughter of his gaoler. When he was taken away to be executed he wrote her a farewell message, which he signed: “From your Valentine”.

Whether or not this is the right Valentine, one thing is certain: the name Valentine means ” powerful ” or ” strong”. love! That’s the Valentine’s Day message: love. No one knows for certain the origin of the holiday. Several Catholic martyrs were named Valentine, but it’s difficult to separate legend from fact. One story tells of a priest named Valentine who was imprisoned and may have been stoned to death around 270 for performing marriages in defiance of the orders of the Roman Emperor Claudius II. But it’s hard today to find any religious connection.
Happy Valentine’s Day!