Saint Valentine's Legend – Based on Vintage Holy Card – Catholic Valentine Gift

Saint Valentine lived in a very permissive, pagan society. Not only was it hostile to Christians, it was hostile to marriage. The Roman Emperor Claudius II had declared marriage illegal for his soldiers, as the Emperor Augustus had done previously. Some even say that he declared it illegal for all. In any event, Valentinus, a Roman doctor and Catholic priest, upheld the Christian tradition that marriage is a sacred bond between one man and one woman, and he continued to marry couples secretly after Claudius's edict.

Valentinus, known to us as Valentine, was arrested. While in jail, the legend goes, he sent letters to Julia, the jailer's daughter, telling her of the love of God. It is said he wrote on the petals of flowers, patiently bruising them with a pin to make small, careful letters. He would sign them, "Your Valentine."

He was martyred February 14, 270 A.D. He could have had his life spared if he would have renounced his Christian faith and made an offering to the cult of the Emperor, but he refused. It is said that Julia herself planted a pink-blossomed almond tree near his grave.

Because of his faithfulness and his teaching on love, people began to speak of any message one sent to a loved one as a "Valentine," even to this day. Valentine is the patron saint of romantic love, engaged couples, and marriages, of course. Surprisingly, he is also invoked for beekeeping, epilepsy, the plague, fainting, and traveling. (source: History.com)

Most people prefer this Valentine image in the 5x7" size, which is cozy and personal. But the 8.5x11" is popular too.

The brown frame is for desks or hanging. Other frames have dust covers on back with picture-wire hangers.

The gold frames are quite pretty.

** IMPORTANT ** THE IMAGE IS SMALLER THAN THE PAPER!!!! There is white border about 0.5" on the 5x7", and about 1.3" on the 8.5x11". This is the norm for fine art printers, and it gives the print a nice, finished look in a frame without using a mat.

- 5x7 or 8.5 x 11" acid-free paper
- Archival pigments, rated to last for generations.
- Cardboard backer
- Above story of the art
- Enclosed in a tight-fitting, crystal clear bag.

Thanks for your interest!

Thanks!
Sue & John

"In order to communicate the message entrusted to her by Christ, the Church needs art." ~ St. Pope John Paul II

Original image is out-of-copyright. Descriptive text and image alterations (hence the whole new image) © by Sue Kouma Johnson - Classic Catholic Art.