St. Valentine’s Day 2004

For Valentine's Day we looked up stories about St. Valentine and found loads, but here is the one we thought to be the sweetest.

One day a jailer for the Emperor of Rome knocked on Valentine's door, holding his blind daughter in his arms.  He had leanred of Valentine's medical and spiritual healing abilities, and thought St. Valentine could heal his daughter.

She had been blind since birth.  Valentine knew that her condition would be difficult to treat but he gave the man his word that he would do his best.  The little girl was examined, given an ointment for her eyes and a series of re-visits were scheduled.

Seeing that he was a man of learning, the jailer asked whether his daughter, Julia, might also be brought to Valentine for lessons.  Julia was a pretty young girl with a quick mind.  Valentine read stories of Rome's history to her.  He described the world of nature to her.  He taught her arithmetic and told her about God.  She saw the world through his eyes.

One day she asked if God really existed, he assured her that He did.  Several weeks passed and the girl's sight was no better.  One day Valentine received a visit from the Roman soldiers who arrested him and destroyed his medicines.  When the girl's father heard of his arrest, he wanted to intervene, but there was nothing he could do.

On the eve of his death, Valentine wrote a last note to Julia knowing his execution was imminent.  He gave the note to a jailer to give to Julia.  He told her to stay close to God and he signed it "From your Valentine."

When the jailer went home, his little girl greeted him.  The little girl opened the note and discovered a yellow crocus that spilled into her palm.  When she looked at the crocus she saw brilliant colours for the first time in her life!  Julia's eyesight had been restored. 

By Jennifer

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