But the Hallmark Holiday is rooted in history - and has direct links to Ireland.Valentine, who lived near Terni, later became the patron saint of lovers - and his remains now lie in the Whitefriar Church in Dublin’s city centre.When Emperor Claudius II discovered that he had been defied, Valentine was imprisoned.Despite this, he was sentenced to death for refusing to renounce his faith - but before his execution, Valentine sent a love note to his jailer’s daughter.
He signed the note, “From your Valentine”, and legend has it that the blind daughter miraculously gained sight so that she could read the note herself.St. Valentine’s remains made their way to Dublin after they were given to a Fr Spratt, an Irish Carmelite priest, by Pope Gregory XVI. Pope Gregory was impressed by the speeches of Fr Spratt, who had been using his Irish charm to convince him to dig up St Valentine’s remains.The casket is said to hold Valentine’s remains and a vessel soaked in his blood, although the casket has never been opened.
Each Valentines Day, Irish people looking for true love flock to the site to pray for help in finding someone special. February 14 was earmarked for Valentine’s Day after Christianity moved to replace the ancient Roman ritual of Lupercalia, which was celebrated on February 15.
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