Story of St. Valentine.

"The story of Valentine's Day begins in the third
century with an oppressive Roman emperor and a
humble Christian Martyr. The emperor was Claudius
II. The Christian was Valentinus.
Claudius had ordered all Romans to worship twelve
gods, and had made it a crime punishable by death
to associate with Christians. But Valentinus was
dedicated to the ideals of Christ; not even the threat
of death could keep him from practicing his beliefs.
He was arrested and imprisoned.
During the last weeks of Valentinus's life a
remarkable thing happened. Seeing that he was a
man of learning, the jailer asked whether his
daughter, Julia, might be brought to Valentinus for
lessons. She had been blind since birth. Julia was a
pretty young girl with a quick mind. Valentinus read
stories of Rome's history to her. He described the
world of nature to her. He taught her arithmetic and
told her about God. She saw the world through his
eyes, trusted his wisdom, and found comfort in his
quiet strength.
"Valentinus, does God really hear our prayers?" Julia
asked one day.
"Yes, my child, He hears each one."
"Do you know what I pray for every morning and
every night? I pray that I might see. I want so much to
see everything you've told me about!"
"God does what is best for us if we will only believe in
Him," Valentinus said.
"Oh, Valentinus, I do believe! I do!" She knelt and
grasped his hand.
They sat quietly together, each praying. Suddenly
there was a brilliant light in the prison cell. Radiant,
Julia screamed, "Valentinus, I can see! I can see!"
"Praise be to God!" Valentinus exclaimed, and he
knelt in prayer.
On the eve of his death Valentinus wrote a last note
to Julia, urging her to stay close to God. He signed it,
"From your Valentine." His sentence was carried out
the next day, February 14, 270 A.D., near a gate that
was later named Porta Valentini in his memory. He
was buried at what is now the Church of Praxedes in
Rome. It is said that Julia planted a pink-blossomed
almond tree near his grave. Today, the almond tree
remains a symbol of abiding love and friendship. On
each February 14, Saint Valentine's Day, messages of
affection, love, and devotion are exchanged around
the world."