Happy Saint Valentine's Day

I wish everyone well on this ancient Catholic feast of Saint Valentine. Of course you know that Valentine is a saint and a Catholic priest, right? He really isn't the CEO of Hallmark greeting cards, or even the President of the International Association of Chocolateers. Sorry. I can understand the confusion.

As Lifesite News notes, Saint Valentine is a martyr for the Catholic faith, not because he strapped a belt of exploding roses onto his torso and ignited it on a crowded London bus, I hasten to add, but because he refused to stop performing marriages, as ordered by the emperor of ancient Rome.

"St Valentine was a Roman Catholic priest who continued to perform marriages even after the Emperor Claudius II had outlawed marriage in a short-sighted attempt to increase the size of his army. The faithful priest was arrested and condemned to death. Before being executed, he sent a note to a young bride where his closing words were Your Valentine."

Now you know the rest of the story. Be tender to your spouse today. Marriage is important. Father Valentine understood that truth and gave his life for it. Those of us in the marriage state are only called upon to live it, faithfully, fruitfully and fully.

Under my rough curmudgeonly exterior, I love you Lady Mad.