5 Uniquely Catholic ways to spend Valentine’s Day

The commercialization of St. Valentine’s Day can be off-putting in many ways. Many companies not only advertise all kinds of chocolate goodies to purchase, but also overly sexualize the day and even encourage lustful behavior.

For some Catholics, celebrating the secular version of St. Valentine’s Day is very unattractive and so instead they do not celebrate the day at all.

However, the day itself can still be celebrated, as it was originally a Catholic feast day that was part of the Church’s calendar.

Here are a few ideas on how to celebrate St. Valentine’s Day in a Catholic manner:

While not everyone can attend Mass on February 14, it can still be an intimate moment for both couples and single individuals. It is a time to be united with the whole Church and to pray for an increase in love of our neighbor.

St. Francis de Sales encouraged an alternative practice where a saint is picked for someone and a card is given to them with the name of the saint they could try to imitate.

He wrote in a letter, “You ask me, my dear daughter, what bouquet you can give to your Valentine. It should be made of some little acts of virtue which you should practice expressly for the sake of this heavenly Valentine.”

Even if you don’t have a a spouse or children, St. Valentine’s Day can give you the chance to express your love and appreciation for your parents, siblings, or cousins. It doesn’t have to be a day about romantic love, but also about our heartfelt love of our family.

We should not forget God on St. Valentine’s Day. While we may not be able to give him physical roses, God would greatly appreciate a spiritual bouquet of good deeds we offer to him.

Often St. Valentine himself is forgotten on his own feast day. Take some time to read about him and learn more about the heroic early Church martyr. It's also a great day to learn about the many martyrs of our own times.