Who was St Valentine? St Valentine’s Day is a day that rejoices in romantic love and lifelong marriage. 

In many countries of the world, this day/feast coincides with Marriage Week. St Valentine was a priest in Rome at the time of Emperor Claudius II. His association with young lovers is well known even in modern times. The story goes that Claudius, urgent to recruit soldiers for his armies, decreed that all weddings be suspended so as to encourage more single, unfamilied men to serve in combat.

Seeing the anguish of the young couples forbidden to marry, St Valentine allegedly performed secret weddings in defiance of the Emperor. Another legend holds that while awaiting his execution, St Valentine restored the sight of his jailer’s blind daughter. On the eve of his death, he is reported to have penned a farewell note to the young girl signing it, “From your Valentine”. He was beheaded on February 14, 269 AD and buried on the Flaminian Way where archaeologists have unearthed a catacomb and an ancient church dedicated in his name. He is the Patron Saint of engaged couples, happy marriages, love and lovers.

We celebrate today not only the love shared by those couples among us, but also the love of the Great Lover, Jesus. Christ, our bridegroom, invites us to join him in an everlasting covenant; an eternal love union that is reflected in the love of each and every dedicated married couple.

ref: www.catholic.org/saints

St Valentine’s Day was a very special day in Tambo this year when Robert Williams and Kathryn Holmes were married in Our Lady of Victories Church. The weather held out and family and friends gathered to celebrate their very special wedding day. The Church was nearly full and locals, family and friends witnessed them share their vows with each other. Afterwards people gathered at the Sports Complex for brunch and the cutting of the wedding cake. A wonderful morning was had by all as they celebrated this very special day for them both.

Fr Matthew Moloney

Right: L-R: David Holmes (father of the bride), Robert Williams,
Kathryn Holmes and Kerrie Holmes (mother of the bride)