The Roman martyrology speaks of two Saints with the name Valentine:

One is the Bishop of Interamna and the other a priest of Rome.  It is possible that they deal with the same Saint who was taken outside of his native city of Rome for his martyrdom.  This is possible because, besides having the same name, both was decapitated on the Via Flaminia and have their feasts on February 14.

1- Saint Valentine of Terni.  Born in Ineramna (modern-day Terni, about 100 km north of Rome) around the year 175.  He was ordained by Saint Felicio of Foligno. He was consecrated Bishop of Iteramna by Pope Victor I in 197.

He was famous for his evangelization, miracles and cures.  He was arrested, tortured, and decapitated by Placido Furuis during the persecution of Aurilius.  They killed him secretly by night in order to avoid the reaction of the people of Terni, where he was very well loved.  He was buried on the Via Flaminia between Rome and Terni. His mortal remains are now in the Cathedral of Terni.

2- Saint Valentine of Rome   With Saint Mario and his family he aided the prisoners that were to be martyred during the persecution of Claudius the ? He was apprehended and sent by the emperor to the prefect of Rome, who, upon seeing all his promises to make them renounce their faith were in effective, sent them to be beaten with maces and them decapitated.  This occurred on the 14 of February in the year 29.

It seems that it was Pope Julius I who decided to construct a church near the Ponte Mole in memory of this martyr, which after a long time was given the name of the gate that we now call the People’s Gate (before the Valentine Gate).  The majority of his relics are now in the Church of St. Praxedes (near the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome).

His name can be found mentioned among the illustrious martyrs in the sacramentary of St. Gregory, in the Roman Missal of Thomas and in the martyrologies.

Return to main page www.piercedhearts.org This page is the work of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary