NO LOVE LOST IN THREE-WAY ROW OVER VALENTINE’S RELICS
THE remains of St Valentine, or at least part of them, lie in Dublin. His remains were given to a Dublin monk, according to legend, by Pope Gregory, and now reside in the Carmelite Church, Whitefriars Street.
But there is a codicil to that. St Valentine’s remains are claimed by myriad places besides Dublin. Blessed John Duns Scotus Church, a Francscan friary in The Gorbals, Glasgow, has good claims to his relics. They were brought to Glasgow, according to Church records, by Fr Victorin Cartuyvel, at that time Provincial Minister of the Friars Minor in Belgium. The remains, in a reliquary, stand at the church’s entrance. The appropriate au then ti fi cat ions, are also available for viewing.
So, confusion over St Valentine, and confusion indeed over Blessed John Duns Scotus. John, who was out and about in the early 16th century, had a profound influence on Catholic thought. But a schism with influential figures led to his name being corrupted. Nonetheless it achieved immortality by becoming the source of the word ‘dunce’. His followers were ridiculed by 16thcentury reformers as enemies of learning.
But a part of Ireland also claims John Duns Scotus – namely Co. Down. Duns is the old name for Down, and ‘Scotus’ or ‘Scotia’ in the Middle Ages was the Latin term for Irish or Gaelic.
So, not only is St. Valentine disputed by Ireland and Scotland, so are dunces.
Then there’s Terni, reputedly Valentine’s Italian hometown. There his relics draw believers to the Basilica di San Valentino, the earliest version of which was supposedly built over his tomb. He’s the patron saint of the city, said to be the place he was imprisoned and later martyred.
It’s a difficult one — which place to head for maximum romantic vibes: the Gorbals in Glasgow, North Dublin, or Terni in Italy.
Terni in Umbria region is a wonderful old city with a rich history and a very enticing culinary tradition. It’s surrounded by exceptionally fine countryside and nature.
On the other hand Glasgow is the home of The Bhoys, Celtic — the only GAA club that thinks it’s a football club. So it’s probably the Gorbals for me.