Why do we celebrate Valentine’s Day?  This special holiday of love has a fascinating background, with its very roots in Catholicism.  Valentine’s Day is a unique day: if you are lucky, you may receive love letters, chocolate, or flowers from a special someone. Many people have heard of Saint Valentine, but few actually know why we celebrate Valentine’s Day.  

There are many tales of how Valentine’s Day came to be. The Catholic Church states there are at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus. One tale explains that Valentine defied the law of Emperor Claudius ll who outlawed marriage for young men to make better soldiers. Valentine continued to perform marriages in secret, and Claudius ordered he be put to death.  

Another story entails how Valentine helped Christians escape roman prison. Once imprisoned, Valentine actually sent a greeting after falling in love. Before his death, legend has it that he wrote his Love a letter signed “from your Valentine,” and that is how it came to be.