Love is in the Air
Fr. Francis Di Spigno, OFM,
Pastor
Do you remember the song, "Love is in the Air?" … “everywhere I look around…” It was a while ago, 1977 actually. A different John Paul than we would immediately think of, but it was sung by Australian singer, John Paul Young. With St. Valentine’s Day just a few days away, one might say that love is in the air.
We don’t know a lot about St. Valentine. St. Valentine was removed from the Universal Church’s Calendar of Saints, but he continues to be recognized as a martyr for the faith. The problem is the historical information about him is most likely a mixture of stories of a number of people, perhaps even with the same name, and also martyred in the 3rd Century.
Despite the confusion and blending of stories, the Church does continue to hold up the virtue of love exemplified in the legend of St. Valentine. One of the traditions tell us that St. Valentine was imprisoned for marrying Christian couples and aiding Christians being persecuted by the Roman Emperor Claudius II in Rome. Both acts were considered serious crimes. He was martyred in 269 and buried north of Rome along the Via Flaminia on February 14th. It is from that legend that we have come to know St. Valentine as the Patron Saint of engaged couples and happy marriages.
Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to reflect on the redemptive love that is shared in married life. It is a love that is not always easy but one that has depth and a richness that can transcend all other types of love. It is a shared love where redemption is found in and through the other.
This Sunday, February 9th, is the World Marriage Day. It falls right in the middle of National Marriage Week (Feb. 7-14). We will be offering a special blessing on all married couples during the Masses this weekend.
Recognizing St. Valentine’s Day, these two celebrations offer a wonderful opportunity to reflect on marriage and the love that binds two people in a very unique way. That love, like the creative nature of God’s love, is overflowing to create a loving home for the couple and in loves abundance can bring forth new creation out of that love.
This year's theme is "Marriage: Source of Hope, Spring of Renewal, Pursue a Lasting Love!" You can find some resources at www.ForYourMarriage.org to help reflect on marriage, love, and life.
“Love is in the air… Every sight and every sound…And I don't know if I'm being foolish...Don't know if I'm being wise…But it's something that I must believe in…And it's there when I look in your eyes…Love is in the air.”
May God continue to bless us all with love, peace and all good.
Fr. Francis Di Spigno, OFM
Pastor
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