St Valentine – Catholic Valentine – Based on Vintage Italian Holy Card

The colors drew us to this picture of St. Valentine. All the delicate colors. Love is not drab. St. Valentine, known in the secular world as the emblem of romantic love, would send messages to his friend Julia from jail telling her about the Love of God. In this picture he is shown in his joyful vestments. The ax, the instrument of his martyrdom, is before him. The clouds are heavy and dark. The cherub angel is drawing near, holding the laurel palm, the symbol of martyrs. From Heaven streams the glory of God's grace.

Valentine was a Roman doctor and Catholic priest in the 3rd Century. According to legend, he always signed his messages to Julia, "Your Valentine." Because of his faithfulness and his purity, people of his day began calling messages to loved ones "Valentines," as we still do today. St. Valentine was an example to the pagan world of the love of God.

Valentine was martyred February 14, 270 A.D. for the crime of being Christian and presiding over Christian marriages. He is the Patron Saint of Romantic Love and Marriages. Surprisingly, he is also invoked for beekeeping. (source: History.com)

We are especially fond of this valentine because the colors are light and charming. Give it to your dear one as a Valentine of your faithful love.

Most people prefer our Valentines in the 5x7" size, which is cozy and personal. But the 8.5x11" is popular too.

The brown frame is for desks or hanging. Other frames have dust covers on back with picture-wire hangers.

The gold frames are quite pretty.

** IMPORTANT ** THE IMAGE IS SMALLER THAN THE PAPER!!!! There is white border about 0.5" on the 5x7", and about 1.3" on the 8.5x11". This is the norm for fine art printers, and it gives the print a nice, finished look in a frame without using a mat.

- 5x7 or 8.5 x 11" acid-free paper
- Archival pigments, rated to last for generations.
- Cardboard backer
- Above story of the art
- Enclosed in a tight-fitting, crystal clear bag.

Thanks!

John and Sue, Lincoln, Nebraska

"In order to communicate the message entrusted to her by Christ, the Church needs art." ~ St. Pope John Paul II

Original image is out-of-copyright. Descriptive text and image alterations (hence the whole new image) © by Sue Kouma Johnson - Classic Catholic Art.