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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Mister Valentinus’ Day<?xml:namespace
prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"
/><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><FONT size=6>Part Two</FONT></P>
<DIV align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">By
Marius Atreidae</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"></SPAN> </DIV><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 6pt 0pt 0in" align=left><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 6pt 0pt 0in" align=left>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" align=left><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 6pt 0pt 0in" align=left>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" align=left><SPAN
style="COLOR: #ebd7b1; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 6pt 0pt 0in" align=left>The first modern style Valentine
cards are attributed to Charles, Duke of Orleans, who after his capture in 1415
and imprisonment in the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
/><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" align=left><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 6pt 0pt 0in" align=left>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" align=left><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 6pt 0pt 0in" align=left>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" align=left><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 6pt 0pt 0in" align=left>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" align=left><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 6pt 0pt 0in" align=left>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" align=left><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 6pt 0pt 0in" align=left>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" align=left><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 6pt 0pt 0in" align=left>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" align=left><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align=left><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align=left><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" align=left> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align=left>* 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" align=left> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align=left>* 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" align=left> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align=left>* 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" align=left> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align=left>* 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" align=left> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align=left>* 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" align=left> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align=left>* 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.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align=left><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align=left><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 0pt" align=left><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align=left><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 0pt" align=left><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align=left><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 0pt" align=left><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align=left><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 0pt" align=left><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align=left><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 0pt" align=left><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align=left><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 0pt" align=left><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align=left><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 0pt" align=left><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align=left><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></SPAN></BODY></HTML>