On 14 February people in love give each other flowers. St Valentine’s Day recalls St Valentine, although little is firmly known about his life.
Who was Valentine of Terni?
Tradition knows of a Valentine who was a priest in Rome and a bishop of Terni in Umbria, who may later have been merged into one person. Both are said to have died as martyrs in the 3rd century, on 14 February. In 1969 the Church removed St Valentine’s Day from the General Roman Calendar because of the thin historical basis, though veneration continues regionally.
Legend and tradition
Later legends tell that Valentine married couples although it was forbidden to soldiers, or restored the sight of a blind girl. The link with love and engaged couples probably arose only in the Middle Ages; English poets of the 14th century are famous for celebrating the day as the beginning of the birds’ mating season.
Feast day
The feast day of St Valentine is 14 February, St Valentine’s Day. Regional and denominational calendars may differ.
Patronage
- Lovers and engaged couples
- Beekeepers
- By tradition: people with epilepsy
“Patron saint” means that people ask this saint to intercede for them with God. No guarantee or promise of miracles is attached to it.
Attributes and depiction
Valentine is shown as a bishop with crozier and mitre, sometimes with a sick child at his feet. In modern imagery flowers and hearts are added.
A short prayer
St Valentine, pray for all who love and all who seek love. Bless couples who want to remain faithful to one another, and comfort all who are alone. Amen.
A simple prayer in our own words, to pray along.
Customs
After the Second World War, St Valentine’s Day with flowers and cards spread in Germany; in the English-speaking world it is far older. Many parishes offer blessing services for couples in love, often with flowers for the couples.
Today
Alongside the romantic Valentine’s Day there is a core that belongs to the Church: St Valentine stands for faithfulness to the very end. If you would like to celebrate the day in a Christian way, you can combine it with a shared prayer for your partnership, a blessing or a small gift such as the St Valentine keyring. For people who are alone, too, 14 February is an opportunity to think of someone who would appreciate a little attention. In everyday life the day connects people who otherwise take little time for one another: a phone call, a letter or a meal together is often enough to show that someone is meant.
Matching items at LUNEXUS
- St Valentine keyring 9 cm – blessed & Made in Germany
- Olive wood heart and cross necklace – handcrafted in Bethlehem
- Lord’s Prayer heart necklace, stainless steel, black cord – blessed
- Wedding cloth, candle cloth, 35 × 35 cm, white – blessed
Many, but not all, of our items are blessed in our own warehouse by a Catholic priest from the Diocese of Fulda. A business-card-sized certificate card showing the date of the blessing is then enclosed; whether an item is blessed is stated in its title or description. Shipped via Amazon's logistics network – free within Germany, €5.90 to Austria and France; €6.90 to Italy, Spain and the Benelux countries. Returns are possible within 30 days.
More to choose from: jewellery and necklaces and all patron saints. Parishes and groups will find an offer on request on the quantity discount page (does not apply to wooden statues from the woodcarving workshop).
Keep reading in the magazine: Small Christian gifts under €15
Frequently asked questions
When is St Valentine’s Day?
On 14 February.
Who was St Valentine?
A martyr of the 3rd century. There are no established dates for his life; it is probably a merging of two figures.
Why do people give flowers on St Valentine’s Day?
The custom came from the English-speaking world in the 20th century and has been strongly promoted by the flower trade.
Sources: Ökumenisches Heiligenlexikon (Ecumenical Lexicon of Saints), the Martyrologium Romanum and the regional calendar for the German-speaking area. We flag legends as such; prayers are, unless stated otherwise, our own simple wording. Compiled by Denis & Belinda, as of October 2026.
