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<DIV>Greetings All,</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Below is a reprint of an artical of mine </DIV>
<DIV>that appeared in the Quoth a few years back.</DIV>
<DIV>I drag it out and dust it off every couple of years </DIV>
<DIV>to give new comers a little historical background </DIV>
<DIV>into the roots of today's celebration of love.</DIV>
<DIV>I hope you enjoy it.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>V NV</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Mister Valentinus’
Day<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center>A Brief History Of Heavenly Amorous</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center>By Marius Atreidae</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">As with so many Christian
traditions and heroes, the story of Saint Valentine is handed down to us as a
muddy mess of miss-woven facts, fanciful fabrications and unanswered questions.
<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>So much so, he is one of the
unlucky outcast saints that the Roman Catholic Church de-canonized in 1969 for
lack of credible evidence that they actually lived at all.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He’s name does not appear on the
earliest compilation of Roman martyrs in 354.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">A long list of tortured souls are
credited with various versions of the famous name, including a saintly
female.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>However, only two Italian
martyrs have any significant association with the celebration of romance, sex
and love that we will ritualize this month.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Some authorities believe that the two
Saint Valentines are likely one in the same individual.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Both of these colorful rebels lived in
the second half of the third century and died on the 14th day of February in 269
or 270.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Both are reported to
have been buried on the <st1:Street><st1:address>Flaminian Consula
Way</st1:address></st1:Street> but at different distances from the City of
<st1:City><st1:place>Rome</st1:place></st1:City>.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Official interrogation reports of both
saints are of a late date so have little, if any, historical value. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt">The most popular belief is that
Saint Valentinus was a third century Roman priest.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>With the help of Saint Marius (no
relation to author) he assisted the oppressed during the Christian persecutions
of Claudius II (also called the <st1:place>Gaul</st1:place>).<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Finding it difficult to recruit young
men to leave their loved ones behind and join his military leagues for unpopular
campaigns, Claudius II banned all weddings and engagements within the City of
<st1:City><st1:place>Rome</st1:place></st1:City>.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Valentinus and Marius defied the ban by
continuing to perform wedding ceremonies.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Nothing more is mentioned of Saint Marius, but one has to guess that he
came to a bad end as it is mandatory for a saint to suffer for the faith.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We are told that Valentinus was dragged
from his temple and arrested.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt">Here, the story begins to blur
with myth and accounts differ.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>One
has him languish in a dungeon till he dies and is buried in the
<st1:place><st1:PlaceType>Church</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName>Saint
Praxedes</st1:PlaceName></st1:place> on February fourteenth.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Kind of dull as the death of Saints go
and probably not true, as records show that the remains of Valentinus did not
arrive in said church till a millennium later.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt">A second version has Valentinus
imprisoned, but well liked by Emperor Claudius until he tries to convert him to
Christianity and / or insults the Roman Gods.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Not having patience for such blaspheme,
Claudius has him beaten with clubs, stoned and then beheaded on February
fourteenth<SUP> </SUP>outside of the Flaminian Gate of
<st1:City><st1:place>Rome</st1:place></st1:City>.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt">A third telling has Valentinus
thrown into prison where he falls in love with the jailer’s blind daughter.
<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Ever the troublemaker, he continues
to preach and cures the sightless girl, earning himself a death sentence.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Before his beheading, he sends a bright
colored crocus plant and a farewell note to his love which he signs, “From your
Valentine”.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Far fetched, but such
is the nature of saints.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The only other real candidate for
the “true” Saint Valentinus was the Bishop of Interamna (modern
<st1:City><st1:place>Terni</st1:place></st1:City>) who also lived during the
reign of Emperor Claudius II.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Having aided the persecuted Christians and overseen the first marriage
between a pagan and a Christian, he was scourged, imprisoned and beheaded on
February fourteenth by the Roman Prefect of Interonma on the Via Flaminia and
was quickly buried to prevent rioting. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 6pt 0pt 0in">The assumption that the two Valentinus’ were
the same man obviously has some validity.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>The theory is that a Roman priest became a Bishop in Interamna and was
arrested there before being returned to
<st1:City><st1:place>Rome</st1:place></st1:City> for execution.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>A possible explanation for the two
burial sites on the <st1:Street><st1:address>Flaminian Consula
Way</st1:address></st1:Street> is the interment of his body and his severed head
at different times by different Christian cults.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Again, the facts are slim and this is
purely conjecture.</P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 6pt 0pt 0in"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 6pt 0pt 0in">The ancient Flaminian Gate became known as
the Porta Valentini and a small church was built in the immediate vicinity.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Pope Julius I (333-356) built a basilica
at the site of the tomb which is now known as the Porta del Popolo.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In the thirteenth century most of
Valentinus’ supposed remains were transferred to the
<st1:place><st1:PlaceType>Church</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName>Saint
Praxedes</st1:PlaceName></st1:place> where they remain today.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>At least a portion of his relics were a
gift to the <st1:place><st1:PlaceName>Whitefriar</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceName>Street</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType>Church</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> in
<st1:place><st1:City>Dublin</st1:City>,
<st1:country-region>Ireland</st1:country-region></st1:place> from Pope Gregory
XVI (1831-1846). <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The segments of
Valentine’s body that had been brought to the
<st1:place><st1:PlaceType>Church</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName>Saint
Peter</st1:PlaceName></st1:place> of Melun in
<st1:country-region><st1:place>France</st1:place></st1:country-region> have
disappeared.</P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 6pt 0pt 0in"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 6pt 0pt 0in">Over the years Saint Valentine has become the
Patron Saint of love, lovers, travelers, greetings, young people, bee keepers
(the birds and the bees ?), engaged couples, happy marriages, fainting, plague,
people lost to the state government and epilepsy.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Yes, epilepsy.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This leads some to speculate that
Valentine suffered from the disease himself or was a physician that healed the
affliction.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He has been depicted as
a bishop with a crippled or epileptic child at his feet.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He’s also been represented as a Bishop
with a rooster nearby, a Bishop refusing to adore an idol, a Bishop being
beheaded, a priest bearing a sword, a priest holding a sun, a priest bestowing
sight upon a blind girl, a priest barefoot holding a crocus and a Bishop in
direct conversation with Jesus and Mary ( Magdalene ? ).<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Of course most images of Saint Valentine
picture him with a wide variety of plants, animals, birds and odd objects.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Decoding their meanings would take good
reference books and many hours of devotion.</P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 6pt 0pt 0in"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 6pt 0pt 0in">The origins of our modern mid-February
frivolities of the flirtation lie in religious roots much older than Valentinus
or Christianity itself.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The Roman
Lupercalia was a festival of eroticism that honored Juno Februata, the goddess
of “feverish” (febris) love.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>On the
ides of February lottery “billets” with the names of available women were drawn
to partner couples for feasting and sexual game playing.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This must have been much like modern
swingers dropping their keys into a hat, with religious fervor thrown in to
encourage a whole hearted effort.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Christians have always been a dour bunch that frowns on such lascivious
abandonment so the early clergy encouraged substituting the names of saints for
the lottery.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>One would pull the
name of a saint, then study and attempt to emulate the saint for the following
year.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Needless to say, this prudish
version of Lupercalia was wildly unpopular and suffered a quick death. </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 6pt 0pt 0in"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 6pt 0pt 0in">But Christians are anything but easily
discouraged.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>A backup plan was
implemented that would turn the overly sexual “feast of the flesh” into a
“ritual of romance”.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>A single saint
was selected to do battle with the pagan goddess Juno.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In 496 Pope Gelasius attempted to
abolish the superstitious heathen’s lewd celebrations by decreeing February
fourteenth the feast day of Saint Valentine.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Valentine was the prefect choice.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He had been executed for marrying
couples into monogamy on the fourteenth day of February, the eve of the
Lurercalia orgies.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Slowly the
festivities became focused on affection and devotion rather than fertility and
lust.</P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 6pt 0pt 0in"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 6pt 0pt 0in">Despite the churches best efforts lottery
drawings to select “Valentines” persisted well into the eighteenth century.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Once paired, a couple would rarely
exchange more than gifts and love tokens.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>During the medieval days of chivalry the man would wear the name of his
Valentine on his sleeve and was bound to attend and protect her for a year.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This is possibly where the term “wearing
<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>his heart on his sleeve”
originated.</P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 6pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN
style="COLOR: #ebd7b1; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 6pt 0pt 0in">The first modern style Valentine cards are
attributed to Charles, Duke of Orleans, who after his capture in 1415 and
imprisonment in the <st1:place><st1:PlaceType>Tower</st1:PlaceType> of
<st1:PlaceName>London</st1:PlaceName></st1:place>, wrote romantic verses for his
wife.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>By the seventeenth century
handmade cards became quite elaborate. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>By the nineteenth century printers were
mechanically producing cards and a reduction in postal rates ushered in the
practice of mailing Valentines.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>This made it possible to exchange cards anonymously.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>As one might guess, racy, sexually
suggestive verses started appearing. The large number of obscene Valentines
caused several countries to ban the card exchange.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The
<st1:City><st1:place>Chicago</st1:place></st1:City> post office rejected some
twenty-five thousand cards on the grounds they were not fit to be carried
through the <st1:country-region><st1:place>U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region>
mail.</P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 6pt 0pt 0in"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 6pt 0pt 0in">Chocolate was a relative late comer, but a
natural for this over sexed celebration.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Eating chocolate causes the release of beta phenytethylamine, a
neuromidulator associated with mood enhancement and sexual stimulation.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In other words it makes one a little
high and amorous.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Many highly
regard this combination in a woman. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The first sweet chocolates in heart
shaped boxes rolled off the assembly line around 1870 and have been a staple on
the menu of romance ever since.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 6pt 0pt 0in"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 6pt 0pt 0in">From the earliest times flowers have carried
a wide array of meanings and symbolism.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Roses and Violets are favorites at this time of year as they both
represent love.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>A rose also
represents impermanence, so even blooms can have sharp edges.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Pink flowering almond trees and the
crocus are especially associated with Valentinus.</P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 6pt 0pt 0in"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 6pt 0pt 0in">It is ironic that a saintly figure reputed to
have been chaste and virtuous lends his name to a modern holiday that encourages
the sale of an arsenal of erotic paraphernalia such as games, oils, leather,
candles, foods, clamps, alcohol, lingerie, electronics, rope, pills, videos, a
smorgasbord of plastics and unmentionable sundries that only lack of imagination
and technology can limit.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Love is
truly a grand affair in these current middle ages.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 6pt 0pt 0in"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 6pt 0pt 0in">Since there is so little known of the saint’s
true life, speculations have been made and liberties have be taken.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>There is even a recent suggestion that
the name Valentine was originally “Galantine” signifying “gallant”.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The consonant shift to “V” possibly
arose from the Medieval French peasant pronunciation of “G”.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We may never know.</P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 6pt 0pt 0in"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 6pt 0pt 0in">In the end, it is not only the stories behind
the long list of Valentine personalities that is diverse and confusing; it is
also the nature and paths of love itself.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Perhaps more than one day a year should be set aside to better understand
and appreciate the ones that are near and dear to us.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Love is a miracle that is too often
overlooked.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 6pt 0pt 0in"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 6pt 0pt 0in">Peace, love and good things to all that read
these words, and remember.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>When you
and your mate make your journey of affection to the Shrine of Saint Valentine,
the pilgrimage is not complete until you both have heard the bells of
bliss.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">* Valentinus (160) - </SPAN>Founded
<st1:place><st1:PlaceType>school</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName>Christian
Gnostic</st1:PlaceName></st1:place> theology in
<st1:City><st1:place>Rome</st1:place></st1:City>.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">* St. Valentinus Priest of
<st1:City><st1:place>Rome</st1:place></st1:City> (269) – feast day February 14 –
Beheaded outside of the Flaminian Gate during the reign of Claudius II</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">* St. Valentinus Bishop of
Interamna (270) – feast day February 14 – Beheaded on the Via Flaminia during
the reign of Claudius II</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">* St. Valentinus (270) – feast
day February 14 – Lived and beheaded in <st1:place>Africa</st1:place> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">* St. Valentine (303) – feast day
November 17 - Executed with Dubatatius for their faith at
<st1:City><st1:place>Carthage</st1:place></st1:City><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">* St. Valentine Priest (304) –
feast day November 3 - Beheaded with his deacon Hilary at
<st1:place><st1:City>Viterbo</st1:City>,
<st1:country-region>Italy</st1:country-region></st1:place>, during the
persecutions under Emperor Diocletian. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 12pt">* St. Valentine Bishop of
<st1:place><st1:City>Trier</st1:City>,
<st1:country-region>Germany</st1:country-region></st1:place> (305) – feast day
July 16 - Was executed during the severe persecutions of Emperor Diocletian.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 12pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN>* St. Valentine (305) – feast day December 16 –
Martyred with Navalis, Concordius, and Agricola. Possibly synonymous with same
era Valentine martyrs that died in
<st1:City><st1:place>Ravenna</st1:place></st1:City>.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 12pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN>* St. Valentine Bishop of
<st1:place><st1:City>Genoa</st1:City>,
<st1:country-region>Italy</st1:country-region></st1:place> (307) – feast day May
2 - Aided monastic expansion in his era. His relics were discovered in
985. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 12pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN>* St. Valentina (308) - feast day July 25 –
Protested the arrest of Meuris and Thea by the Roman Governor in
<st1:City><st1:place>Palestine</st1:place></st1:City> and so was bound with Thea
and burned to death.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 12pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN>* St. Valentine Bishop of
<st1:place><st1:City>Strasbourg</st1:City>,
<st1:country-region>France</st1:country-region></st1:place> (4th century) –
feast day September 2 - Regulated his diocese in the faith after initial
conversions. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 12pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN>* St. Valentine Abbot and missionary Bishop in
<st1:State><st1:place>Rhaetia</st1:place></st1:State> (470) – feast day January
7 - Died at <st1:place><st1:City>Mais</st1:City>,
<st1:country-region>Austria</st1:country-region></st1:place>.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 12pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN>* St. Valentinian Bishop of
<st1:place><st1:City>Salerno</st1:City>,
<st1:country-region>Italy</st1:country-region></st1:place> (500) – feast day
November 3 - <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 12pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN>* Valentine (827) an upper-class Roman was Pope
of Rome for about 40 days. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 12pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN>* St. Valentine Berrio-Ocho Bishop (1861) –
feast day November 1 - A native of <st1:place><st1:City>Ellorio</st1:City>,
<st1:country-region>Spain</st1:country-region></st1:place>, he entered the
Dominican Order and was sent to the
<st1:country-region><st1:place>Philippines</st1:place></st1:country-region>.
>From there he went to
<st1:country-region><st1:place>Vietnam</st1:place></st1:country-region> in 1858,
serving as a vicar apostolic and titular bishop until betrayed by an apostate.
He was martyred by beheading with St. Jerome Hermosilla and Blessed Peter Amato,
by enemies of the Church.</P></DIV></BODY></HTML>