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“God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him” - 1 John 4:16
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Although
the Catholic Church no longer keeps St. Valentine’s Day on the official
Roman calendar, millions observe this day dedicated to love that has
its roots in ancient Rome and the story of a martyred saint. We
diligently search each Valentine’s Day, looking for just the right card
or gift, sometimes forgetting that the perfect gift is always at hand – the gift of love.
While God is truly our first love, our mothers are most definitely a
close second to Him! Who gave us our first kiss? Taught us our first
prayers? Throughout the centuries, images of Our Blessed Mother Mary
holding the infant Jesus have been perfect reflections of a mother’s
love. Mary also sets the example for accepting God’s will when it is
not what we had planned, or is very difficult. No matter how children
come into our lives, we have to trust that God has a plan for us and for
them.
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| The Theotokos of Vladimir, one of the most venerated of Orthodox Christian icons of the Virgin Mary. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
As Catholics, we believe God is love, and the love that He
provides is meant to be shared with others. Please help us by praying a
novena to St. Valentine for all mothers and children. They are always
beautiful reminders of God’s perfect love.
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Novena to St. Valentine
O holy Martyr, St. Valentine, pray for the Faithful, who are so
persevering in celebrating thy memory. The day of Judgment will reveal
to us all thy glorious merits. Oh! intercede for us, that we may then be
made thy companions at the right hand of the Great Judge, and be united
with thee eternally in heaven.
This Saint fought, even unto death, for the law of his God, and feared
not the words of the wicked; for he was set upon a firm rock.
Grant, we beseech thee, O Almighty God, that we who solemnize the
festival of blessed Valentine, Thy Martyr, may, by his intercession, be
delivered from all the evils that threaten us. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
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Yours in grace,
Catholic Medical Mission Board
Our mailing address is:
CMMB
100 Wall Street, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10005
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