Valentine postscript
By
LAST Tuesday was Valentine’s Day. Believe it or not, that day was inspired by a man who vowed to renounce marriage forever. His name was Valentinus, a Christian celibate priest.
* * * This courageous and charitable Roman priest, who lived in the year 269 AD, was condemned to death by the pagan Emperor Claudius II who was furious over his refusal to renounce his faith and for converting to Christianity the jailer Asterius and his daughter who was blind.
* * * On the eve of his execution (Feb. 13, 270 A.D.), Valentinus wrote a farewell note to the girl and signed it “From your Valentine.” From that parting note, the everlasting symbol of friendship and love originated.
* * * But that simple filial love of a celibate priest has evolved into other things. For instance, February 14 has become a “day of heart,” with physicians reminding people to go for heart check-up.
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Moreover, Valentine’s Day has become a lucrative business. Think of the Valentines’ sales in shopping malls and flower shops, dining in packed restaurants, romantic trysts in night clubs, and yes, motels! * * *
Incidentally, be sure that your partner is your legal and real spouse, otherwise if your extramarital activity is discovered, it may be the end of your marriage.
* * * Reminds me of that quip on the difference between the words “complete” and “finished.” When a man marries the right one, he is complete. When he marries the wrong one, he is finished. And when the right one catches him with the wrong one, he is ... COMPLETELY FINISHED!
* * * EARLY DATING. For the young who’re in love, here is a timely reminder. Avoid early dating. Going steady for young people, that is, below 20, can be a “tender trap” – and many have fallen regretfully into it.
* * * As two people pair off almost to the exclusion of others, they become more intimate through the weeks and months.
Unless they exercise self-control, they will indulge in sex before they are actually married but are unprepared financially, emotionally, and psychologically.
* * * Pre-marital pregnancy can put pressure on the young couple to get married or, God forbid, resort to abortion.
In decision-making that involves a LIFETIME commitment, one has to be very careful. * * * THE LIGHTER SIDE. A girl wrote a Valentine’s card to her boyfriend, saying: “If you promise to marry me, I’ll be faithful to you until eternity.”
A postscript followed below: “Answer me on Thursday or else I’ll look for another guy.” Talk about being “faithful until eternity”!
* * * Then there was the guy who picked out a Valentine’s card from a store. They all had the same message: “Darling, you are my one and only love.” And he bought six cards!
* * * DEATH. Fr. Martin “Martz” Mandin, SVD, passed away last Tuesday from lung cancer at age 61. He had been assigned at the parish of St. Arnold Janssen in Cainta, Rizal, and taught Ethics at the SVD college seminary in Christ the King Seminary, Quezon City.
* * * His remains lie in state at the Villa Cristo Rey lobby in Christ the King Seminary compound on E. Rodriguez Boulevard, Quezon City.
Date of interment is not yet known.
ETERNAL REST UNTO FR. MARTZ, O LORD.
* * * ST. JUDE. Today join us in our novena to St. Jude Thaddeus, Saint of the Impossible, at the Divine Word Shrine, Christ the King Seminary, on E. Rodriguez Boulevard, Quezon City, after the 6 p.m. Mass.
A healing prayer and anointing with holy oil will follow.