So you Know that St Valentine’s Bones are in Dublin, Right?
Dublin has a Shrine to St. Valentine, which houses the actual remains of St. Valentine. Visiting there is definitely worth it for anyone who wants to pay their respects.
Nicole Buckler reports.
The Carmelites first arrived in Ireland in 1271. Their church, The Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin, is famous all over the world. And here’s why you need to know this now: St Valentine’s earthly remains are in the church. Yes HIS DEAD BODY. Ew!
Whitefriar Street Church
So who was St Valentine?
Valentine’s Day, known for exchanging cards and gifts, actually honors a man who lived in the third century. Valentine, a doctor and priest, defied Emperor Claudius’s decree forbidding young men from marrying, fearing it would weaken his army. Valentine secretly married couples and was imprisoned when discovered. Legend says he befriended his jailer’s daughter, Julia, teaching her and signing a letter to her “From Your Valentine.” Refusing to renounce his faith, Valentine was martyred on February 14, 270, beaten, stoned, and beheaded. Recognizing his service, Pope Gelasius declared February 14th Valentine’s official feast day in 496. Thus began the tradition of celebrating love on this day.
Why Are St Valentine’s Remains In Dublin?
There is some dispute over whether any of St. Valentine’s body lies in the church in Dublin. So, how did Dublin come to possess such significant remains?
A charismatic Carmelite priest from Dublin, Fr. John Spratt, traveled to Rome to meet Pope Gregory XVI. Spratt’s reputation as an exceptional preacher impressed the Pope, who decided to gift him St. Valentine’s body, previously kept in the cemetery of St. Hippolytus in Rome. At that time, it was not unusual to transfer relics from the Roman catacombs.
Yep, here is his box!
St Valentine’s remains were transferred to Whitefriar Street Church in 1836. Since that day, people have been visiting the church on St Valentine’s day, offering prayer in all areas of love.
Alas other churches claim to hold the remains of St Valentine. Authenticating these claims is difficult: even with DNA there is no one to connect the genetic material to. It just has to be a matter of faith – unless you have the paperwork. And the Church in Whitefriar Street has just that.
Translation of the Letter
The Whitefriar Street Carmelites published online the following translation of a letter in Latin which accompanied the remains of St Valentine when they arrived in Dublin:
We certify that, for the glory of God and veneration of His saints, we have freely given the blessed body of St. Valentine, martyr, along with a vessel containing his blood, to the Very Reverend Father Spratt of the Order of Calced Carmelites in Dublin, Ireland. We obtained these relics under the authority of Pope Gregory XVI on December 27, 1835, from the cemetery of St. Hippolytus in the Tiburtine Way. They are enclosed in a wooden case covered with painted paper, securely sealed with a red silk ribbon and our seals. Father Spratt is authorized to retain, distribute, and display these relics for public veneration in churches, oratories, or chapels outside of Rome, in accordance with the decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rites dated August 11, 1691.
Rome, from our Palace, the 29th day of the month of January 1836.
C.Cardinal Vicar
Regd. Tom 3. Page 291
Philip Ludovici Pro-Custos
About Whitefriar Street Church
The shrine to St Valentine
The church is only a few minutes’ walk from St Stephen’s Green. They have a great little shop that sells keyrings and other stuff with St Valentine’s image on it. And so they should. Because they have the paperwork.
The church likes to be associated with Valentine’s day, saying that it hopes to connect with ‘with young people and their needs as they grow into maturity and adult life’. Apparently, legend has it that if you propose here you are guaranteed a yes. So fellas, bring your girlfriend to the church and propose – you just never know. And if no one loves you, then go there and pray for a hottie.
