Love is in the air this month, when the Church celebrates National Marriage Week (Feb. 7-14) and World Marriage Day (Sunday, Feb. 9) as well as the feast of St. Valentine (Feb. 14). While there is some dispute over who St. Valentine actually was – early Church records identify at least three St. Valentines in the second half of the third century – all of them were martyrs and all are remembered on Feb. 14. According to tradition, St. Valentine risked his life to marry Christian couples during a time of persecution. He finally gave his life in martyrdom, the ultimate manifestation of love. Here are a few ways to add a dash of faith to your Valentine’s Day celebrations:
Giving candy for Valentine’s Day? Consider sweets with Catholic roots. Lots of people know that Ferrero Rocher makes a decadent chocolate hazelnut candy, but fewer know that the candy and its creator have close ties to our faith. Michele Ferrero, the company’s founder and a devout Catholic, had a deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and wanted to honor her through his work. It is reported that he named his company “Rocher” after the rock grotto, the Rocher de Massabielle, which marks the location where the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette in Lourdes, France. It was said that Ferrero made annual pilgrimages to Lourdes and organized a visit for his employees. He also had a statue of the Virgin Mary in each of his company’s 14 production facilities around the world. Ferrero passed away on Feb. 14, 2015, at the age of 89, but his delicious legacy lives on in his family-run business.