On a recent trip to the supermarket, shoppers entered the store and were immediately struck by an 8 foot high wall of red – bouquets of red roses setup in tiers, other flowers wrapped in red paper, hearts of all sizes and shapes, some as balloons, some filled with candy, others with chocolate covered strawberries.

The display was wide enough to obscure the entire produce department. It was garish, it was overkill, it was the perfect demonstration of how a holiday with a lovely tradition and meaningful message has become commercialized.

One shopper passing by the display shook her head and turned to me to say, “Just in case you forgot Tuesday is Valentine’s Day.” We both chuckled and walked away.

Valentine’s Day is a holiday with a storied history. Sometime along the way the “saint” was dropped from a day named after a venerated Catholic – St. Valentine.

Tradition holds that St. Valentine was Bishop (and patron saint) of Terni, Italy, ordained in 197. He was known as a man of great love and devotion to those in need, and because of his greater love for Christ, was blessed with working miracles and healing the sick. His love of Christ and his faith was so great that he refused to deny both to the Emperor of Rome and was sentenced to death.

He was martyred on Feb. 14.

While the Valentine’s Day we know and celebrate is focused mostly on romantic love, the love of St. Valentine is a more profound, life-changing love that comes from a relationship with God. In these challenging times, with bullying a sad reality for many children, and a culture that seems to be moving away from sacrificial love of others to selfishness and entitlement, the reinforcement for children that they are loved by God is essential. It’s is also essential that they learn to share that love, which has a foundation in a respect for life in general, in their everyday lives.

Without detracting from the lovely Valentine’s Day traditions established in our homes and classrooms, this special holiday is a wonderful opportunity to help bring a deeper meaning of love to the celebration.

Consider adding:

Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary – Among the many hearts displayed or used for Valentine’s Cards, include a visible reminder of the hearts of Jesus and Mary, from whom perfect love flowed. Such images, though Valentine’s Day is once a year, reminds students that love is needed and should be shared every day. See the reflection on the Sacred Heart of Jesus at the end of this post, and the short morning offering prayer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary that may be added to morning prayers in the classroom.

Use Scripture quotes as Valentines or conversation starters – Some examples: “So faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13); “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony” (Colossians 3:14); “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good” (Romans 12:9).

Have a conversation about love – Use 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, a Scripture quote often read in marriage ceremonies. There are 16 qualities of love mentioned here, each of which is an opportunity for students, guided by teachers, to share their understanding of what each quality means. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

Morning Offering | USCCB

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, for the salvation of souls, the reparation of sins, the reunion of all Christians, and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father this month.
Amen.

For teachers: A reflection - God's Servant First: The Sacred Heart of Jesus - A Reign of Love | USCCB

About the Author
Mary Clifford Morrell, mother of six and grandmother to ten, is a Catholic journalist, editor, and author who has served the Dioceses of Metuchen and Trenton, New Jersey; Burlington, Vermont, and RENEW International in the areas of religious education and communication.