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How did St. Valentine get to be the patron saint of romantic love?

"Actually, there are two St. Valentines," says Father Paul Helfrich, BU's Catholic chaplain in the Office of the University Chaplain. "The first was a priest in Rome who assisted martyrs during the persecution under Claudius II. The priest was arrested, and when he refused to renounce his faith, beaten with clubs and then beheaded. His beheading occurred on February 14, around the year 270. His feast day takes place on February 14 because the Church customarily honors saints on the date of their death.

"The second St. Valentine was a bishop of Terni, Italy, who was also a martyr during the reign of Claudius II. It's most likely he was arrested and brought to Rome for execution. Over time, the two saints were honored jointly on the date of the first priest's execution."

So it's the date of the feast -- and not a connection between either St. Valentine and romantic love -- that links the names of the saints with our celebration of St. Valentine's Day on February 14. As to the date's association with romantic love, Father Paul says, "There was also a belief, found in writings as early as those of Chaucer, that birds began pairing on February 14. This seems to be the real reason behind the medieval custom of sending love notes on February 14."

"Ask the Bridge" welcomes readers’ questions. E-mail bridge@bu.edu or write to "Ask the Bridge," 10 Lenox Street, Brookline, MA 02446.

8 February 2001
Boston University
Office of University Relations