14 February: St Valentine's Day



No matter what the late Archbishop Bugnini thought, the 14th of February is St Valentine's Day just as it has been for a millennium and a half. Roses and greeting cards are in order. Maybe even chocolates if you're sure it won't be a temptation to break Lent in the very first week.

Although not in Riyadh. I heard on the BBC news on Sunday night that the religious police in Saudi Arabia are on the look out for any decadent Valentine's Day observing that might be going on. Apparently they've already collared some ne'er-do-well in Riyadh who was flagrantly selling roses to the general public. Imagine. Children might have been present.

Præsta, quæsumus, omnipotens Deus: ut, qui beati Valentini Martyris tui natalitia colimus, a cunctis malis imminentibus eius intercessione, liberemur. Per Dominum Nostrum. Amen.

Grant, we pray Thee , almighty God, that we who are celebrating the birthday of Thy blessed martyr Valentine, may by his intercession be preserved from all the ills that threaten us: through our Lord. Amen.