Our Journey of Love

Bishop Peter Ingham's Lenten Pastoral Message 2010 combines a reflection on Lent with St Valentine's Day. St Valentine was a priest in Rome in the middle of the third century. The Roman Emperor at the time had decreed that all marriages were to be suspended so that young men could have no excuse to avoid military service. Seeing the pain of many young couples, Valentine defied the Emperor and performed secret marriages. His actions angered the Emperor who had him beheaded on 14 February, now celebrated as St Valentines Day. St Valentine is the patron of engaged couples, happy marriages, love and lovers.

With St Valentine, I rejoice with all of you who live in love. Some of you, sadly, will have lost someone you love or suffered a broken relationship. I acknowledge your loss and grief. I hope you find consolation and companionship in your family circle and in the faith community where you worship. Those of you who live in love, and those who have lost loved ones, know better than any of us that even though love is often fired by desire and romance, there is more, much more to love than feelings of delight.

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