A Man Called Valentinus

Valentine Day is a day for love. It began many years ago in Rome by a man filled with love for others.

Valentinus lived in ancient Rome then the center of the civilized world.

At the time, Emperor Claudius II ruled with a sometimes cruel hand.   Kind to everyone, Valentinus walked the streets of Rome searching out the poor, disabled and disfigured, helping them in any way he could.

One especially hot day, Valentinus happened upon an old white-bearded man who had no legs.  He went to the town well and returned with a jug of water to wash and comfort him.  He squeezed water from a cloth into the stricken man's sore eyes, easing their pain.  Valentinus then eased him up, placed him on his broad back and with the man's arms encircling his neck, he carried him towards the sea.

There he built a shelter to protect the old man from the elements.  As he walked away, Valentinus said, "I will return each day to see that you are well, bring you food, clothing or any other of your needs."

The old man said, "My son, I will never forget this kindness. It will be returned to you one day when you feel that all is lost."

A week passed during which time Valentinus kept his promise.  He never missed a day.  One bright morning as he was heading down to the sea, He stopped to help another seemingly unfortunate - but this one was a wicked man who accused Valentinus of robbing him.  The emperor's jailers came and placed him behind bars in a dirty, wet and smelly dungeon.  He lost hope of ever seeing the outside world again.

Fabius, one of his jailers was a good man who never doled out harshness to the prisoners.  Valentinus and he became friends.  Eventually they discussed their families.  Fabius told him about his blind and deaf three year old daughter. Alena.  Valentinus asked him to bring her to him. 

"Fear not Fabius, she will come to no harm.  With you beside her on the other side of the bars, she will be safe."

The following morning Fabius approached the cell accompanied by his little Alena.  Valentinus put his hands through the iron bars and gently placed them on Alena's head, while murmuring hushed words.  The next day Fabius went to Valentinus' cell.  He kissed him on both cheeks.  "It's a miracle," he cried.  "My baby can see me - she can hear my voice.  I will repay you in the only way I know how."

That evening Valentinus found his cell door ajar.  As he cautiously walked out, he recalled the legless man's words. All did seem lost to him.  His concern though overshadowed those thoughts.  Three days had passed when he wasn't able to keep his promise to the old man..  

He was making his way down the cobbled stone street to the sea, when he came upon a young couple attempting to hide themselves behind thick bushes. 

"Why do you hide this night?"  He asked them. 

They told him of Emperor Claudius' men seeking out mixed couples where one is Christian to separate them forever.  "We were close to being caught when we spied this dense growth.  We love each other and wish to marry, but all the priests are fearful.  Once we are joined in marriage it will be against Roman law to separate us."

"Never abandon hope," he counseled.  "I am more than aware of Emperor Claudius' hate for Christians.  You see, I am a cleric. I disguise myself so that I may continue to offer aid  to those in need without the fear of being discovered.  Both of you, stand before me now as I bless you in marriage." 

Before they continued on their way, they tearfully thanked Valentinus and assured him that they would never forget him.  "Our hearts are yours forever," they thankfully told him.

As darkness descended, with lantern in hand he hurried on  to check on his friend by the sea.  To his shock, there remained there, no sign of the legless man.  . 

'Where could he have gone?'  Valentinus wondered.  'How could he have managed with no legs?'

He sighted writing in the sand close to the water.  He held the lantern over the words -. "As a man thinks in his heart, so he is"   

  

Author's Note

Though this short story is fiction, some historical facts are included.

The quote at the end is attributed to Solomon.

Reviews

[Auxiliosophiae]

A marvelous tribute to a saint whose story if often overlooked.