What the world needs now is unconditional love

by Greg Mies

If ever there was a time for us to celebrate the true meaning of Valentine’s Day, it is today.

Celebrated on Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day has evolved into a commercial holiday primarily associated with romance, flowers, chocolates and cards. However, its roots are deeply tied to Catholic tradition.

For those who aren’t familiar with the holiday’s origins, it is the feast day of St. Valentine, a Roman priest and physician who was martyred around 270. He was imprisoned for secretly marrying couples who disobeyed the Roman emperor’s edict that forbade Roman soldiers to marry. Saint Valentine is the patron saint of lovers, people with epilepsy, and beekeepers (he is said to have been a beekeeper who kept gentle care of bees, talking with and praying over them).

Saint Valentine is said to have not only performed secret marriages, but also offered shelter and support to persecuted Christians. In this sense, he demonstrated a kind of spiritual hospitality, welcoming and protecting those in need.

 His acts of kindness — whether in offering marriage ceremonies or aiding others —reflect the Christian ideal of loving and caring for strangers, just as Jesus showed hospitality to all.

While the modern, commercialized version of Valentine’s Day has shifted toward romantic gestures, the Catholic Church honors St. Valentine not only as a patron saint of lovers, but also as a symbol of compassion and selfless love. The holiday truly is a celebration of love in many forms — not just romantic love, but also love for others through acts of kindness and service.

Just two weeks ago, in his Sunday Angelus prayer, Pope Francis emphasized how Jesus reveals the “ultimate criterion by which all history is judged: love.

The pope told pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Feb. 2, the feast of the Presentation of the Lord: “Whoever loves, lives; whoever hates, dies.”

In a time where we may feel overwhelmed by the commercial and material aspects of holidays, let us remember the real significance of St. Valentine’s Day: It’s a call to live a life of love that is selfless and all-encompassing.

 Whether through compassion, charity or simply being present for one another, we can all contribute to making the world a little warmer and more connected. Let this Valentine’s Day be a reminder that love is a force for good that can transform lives — and that it’s something we can all give, regardless of circumstance or season.

May we all give the kind of courageous, unconditional love that St. Valentine offered so freely. And may we all feel loved this Valentine’s Day.