Deacon’s Corner
As I begin writing this blurb for the Deacon’s Corner, I find myself in the Adoration Chapel at St. Pius. It’s 12:05 a.m. Sunday December 31, 2023 (my scheduled time, midnight to 2:00 a.m.) What seems odd, is to make the deadline for this February printed version of the Heartbeat Newsletter, we need to have content submitted four weeks in advance.
That means in my mind, I have to think about what might be or will be happening in the month of February. I generally do not like looking ahead in time, because it takes the mind off of the “Gift of Today!”
I know how fragile life is and I feel it’s a little presumptuous to think that our Lord is going to “will” those future days to us! As I looked at the calendar, I could see that January had all these beautiful feasts, memorials, and solemnities that could be mentioned or talked about.
Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church
Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious
Memorial of Saint John Neumann, Bishop
The Epiphany of the Lord
The Baptism of the Lord
Memorial of Saint Anthony, Abbot
Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle
Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops
Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest
I enjoy each of these days as they happen and look ahead to February.
As I glanced at February, I noticed one day that “jumped out” at me. That is February 14th. Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday fall on the same day! There is a reason why this seems odd! For the first time since 1945, they are sharing the same date. It happened two other times in the last century — 1923 and 1934. It happens again in 2029, and that will be it for this century.
Briefly; Saint Valentine, officially known as Saint Valentine of Rome, is a third-century Roman saint widely celebrated on February 14th, and commonly associated with “Courtly Love.” Although not much of St. Valentine’s life is reliably known, and whether or not the stories involve two different saints by the same name is also not officially decided, it is highly agreed that St. Valentine was martyred and then buried on the Via Flaminia to the north of Rome. In 1969, the Roman Catholic Church removed St. Valentine from the General Roman Calendar, because so little is known about him. However, the church still recognizes him as a saint, listing him in the February 14th spot of Roman Martyrology. He is the Patron Saint of love, young people, and happy marriages.
There are two aspects of February 14th that should allow us to make it a very special day.
First, It is a day to say “I Love You” to those we love! If you are able, doing kind gestures like Valentine cards, a dinner date, or phone calls are nice expressions to show love. We can be grateful for all the “loves” in our lives - our parents, grandparents, our spouses, our children, relatives and friends. Some people seem to have more, while others may have less. We have to keep in mind that some love consists of a “Crown of Thorns!” The most important “LOVE” we should focus on, is our love for Jesus, and His unconditional love for us! When we focus on His love, that is when we have peace and joy in our hearts.
The second aspect of February 14th, is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, a time to contemplate on how we live our lives. Lent gives us the time to ask ourselves, are we living our lives to be worthy of Our Lord’s sacrifice on Good Friday, so that we can celebrate the Lord’s resurrection at Easter?
During Lent, we are called to a true inner conversion of heart as we seek to follow Christ’s will more faithfully.
Thankfully, the Holy Mother Church gives us Lent and all the other liturgical seasons as opportunities to turn back to God, or to deepen our relationship with Him!
Let us pray for each other, that we have a blessed Lenten season!
I look forward to seeing you at the next Mass.
Jesus, Do in me what You must, so as to do through me, What You Will!
~ Deacon Matt