Sun Chat: Spiritual Valentines
We may feel that many religious holidays are corrupted today by materialism and secularism. Is this a new problem, or something the Church has always had to deal with?
St. Francis de Sales’ ban on sending Valentines was not popular! Does this remind you of some of the Church’s stances today? Should the Church try to create a better image for itself?
How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day, and what spiritual practices could you include?
Guest511 (guest): I thought I should celebrate with God, my one true LOVE.
PM
l: Yes, but Valentine’s Day has never been really big with me
Sister Susan Marie: One of our chatters did not seem to think St Francis de Sales said and did what was written- that he changed Valentines Day so radically.
Feb 16 2014, 7:33 PM
K (guest): Hello everyone. We are finally together again L!
Sister Susan Marie: Hi K!
Sister Susan Marie: Hi G! But I did not think it was out of character for a Bishop
A: or by having people pick a saint for the year?
l: I like the idea of picking a saint for the year!
Sister Susan Marie: Yes- he suggested that his diocese choose saint to celebrate that day rather than someone else’ spouse! Which was a big problem!
K (guest): He should have changed it if things were going on as stated.
Sister Susan Marie: Yes a saint for the year is a great devotional way to pray
A: I read that even with a spouse people celebrated with someone else!
Sister Susan Marie: Yes that’s why he needed to step up to the plate and change that custom!
A: I love the saint for a year idea
Feb 16 2014, 7:36 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Who would you choose?
A: I did choose St, Anthony of Padua
Guest217 (guest): Valentines day had been corrupted and lost the spiritual meaning.
Guest217 (guest): I choose St John of the Cross.
Sister Susan Marie: Here we pick a Sister’s name under the image of the Sacred Heart and we pray for her all year
K (guest): That’s a great idea.
Feb 16 2014, 7:38 PM
l: Could I have a Sisters name to pray for?
A: it is so nice to know someone is praying for you
Sister Susan Marie: Sometimes we keep it secret and other times we share. It’s good to know someone is praying for you and it is interesting to see how the Lord chooses us for one another’s prayers
Sister Susan Marie: Sure- how about Sr Mary ?
lo Oh yes thank you!
Sister Susan Marie: Another saint or 2 I remember is the Feast Day on the 14th- St Cyril and Methodius- they were my patrons in grammar school
Sister Susan Marie: No one thinks of them much because of St Valentine!
A: i havent heard much about them
Feb 16 2014, 7:42 PM
l: Yes, I just read about them when I prayed the Office of the Hours that day!
Guest217 (guest): Nor I.
Sister Susan Marie: They evangelized the Slavic areas of Europe- they themselves were Greek but invented the Cyrillic alphabet
Sister Susan Marie: so the Bible could be written for those peoples
Sister Susan Marie: That was love in action!
A: interesting
l: I thought it was fasinating
Feb 16 2014, 7:44 PM
Sister Susan Marie: What aspect in particular?
l: That they invented the Cyrillic alphabet. What an undertaking. And they were so far from their home and culture but they did it anyway for their love of God
Sister Susan Marie: What do wwe really know about St Valentine himself? I think he was a Bishop too
l: I have problems trying to go across the country
Feb 16 2014, 7:46 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Yes a priest
Feb 16 2014, 7:46 PM
Sister Susan Marie: You did all right in October, L!
l: That was very exciting for me!
K (guest): What do we know about St. Valentine Sister?
Sister Susan Marie: He was a martyr in Rome
Guest217 (guest): When did they live?
SRSusan (guest): 3rd century
l: I don’t know anything about him
Feb 16 2014, 7:50 PM
K (guest): http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=159
St. Valentine – Saints & Angels – Catholic Online
Feb 16 2014, 7:50 PM
SRSusan (guest): But how we developed the custom from him I am not sure
A: i read he encouraged marriage
l: Thank you k!