Unfortunately, not much is known about this saint, except that he probably lived in Rome during the Roman Empire, and like Saint Jude, he was martyred for his faith. Valentine was buried at a Christian cemetery on the Via Flaminia close to the Ponte Milvio to the north of Rome, on 14 February, which has been observed as his Feast since 496 AD. The relics of Saint Valentine were kept in the Church and Catacombs of San Valentino in Rome, which remained an important pilgrim site throughout the Middle Ages. There are some relics of this saint at the Carmelite Church in Dublin. 

Valentine's association with lovers has been around for many centuries, but it started to wane until a commercial resurgence in the 1950s. Recently many people have begun to see the day as a celebration of all love, including friendship and familial. Thus today, and in this time of Pandemic, we should celebrate love of all kinds, because it is love that is getting us all through these dark times. 

Our picture shows a mother and daughter encouraging each other on a sponsored walk.

Light a candle for someone you love at the Shrine of Saint Jude.