LOVE AT NEWSTEAD PRIORY
As it is coming up
to Valentines Day, we thought we would share the history of St. Valentine. We have been very fortunate to see so much
love coming through Newstead Priory over the last 16 years.
St. VALENTINE
It is believed that
the young Priest Valentine rose to distinction after betraying Emperor Claudius
in 270 AD by conducting illegitimate wedding ceremonies in the capital Rome .
Emperor Claudius
claimed that married men made poor soldiers & consequently decreed that all
marriages of younger citizens be outlawed.
Valentine however
maintained that marriage was part of gods plan & purpose for the world.
He continued to
conduct marriages in secret between young people in the name of love.
His success gained
him unwelcome notoriety which became Valentines down fall he was jailed and put
to death but not before he fell in love with the jailer’s daughter.
It is thought that
on the evening of his execution Valentine passed her a note which read “From Your Valentine.” After his death
Valentine was named a Saint.
This story as
blossomed into defining tradition of Valentines Day.
An estimated one
billion cards are sent each year making it the second largest card-sending
holiday of the year behind Christmas.
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY