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In today’s culture, St. Valentine’s Day is often reduced to candy hearts and romantic gestures, but as Catholic men, women, parents, and godparents we have a wonderful opportunity right in front of us to establish a more authentic meaning of the feast of St. Valentine for our families. This special day is about way more than how the secular world perceives love; it’s about St. Valentine’s deep love for Christ and his courageous witness to the faith. By celebrating his feast day liturgically, we can show our spouses and our children about true love—the kind that reflects God’s love for us.
Who Was St. Valentine?
St. Valentine was a Roman priest who lived during a time of Christian persecution. He defied Emperor Claudius II by secretly performing marriages for Christian couples and was ultimately martyred for his faith. His life reminds us that true love is sacrificial, courageous, and rooted in Christ. If you'd like to learn more about the multifaceted history of the Catholic priest known as St. Valentine, grab a copy of my book Festive Faith. In it I've written all about who he is and common Catholic traditions associated with this feast day. Thank you for letting me squeeze that in, now back to some really sweet ideas for celebrating with Catholic kiddos.
Liturgical Activities for Kids
Here are some meaningful and festive ways to celebrate the feast of St. Valentine with your children. I recommend picking one or two that fit with the personalities and needs of your family. I will also try to share ways that you can adapt these ideas for ease and creativity!
1. Heart-Shaped Prayer Cards– Have your children create heart-shaped cards with Bible verses about love, such as 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Encourage them to give these cards to family members, friends, or their classmates.
Adaptation: If you don't have the supplies or time to make cards you could always purchase Catholic St. Valentine day cards. My shop Liturgy Market has the following printable options:
2. St. Valentine’s Storytime– Read children's book about St. Valentine or wholesome stories of love, such as: The Story of St. Valentine, Happy Valentine's Day, Curious George, Happy Valentine's Day, Mouse, or God Gave Us Love.
Tip: Before the start of a special feast day or season I like to pull out the books in our library that speak to those themes. You can either create a little book stack or a book basket, but put it in a place where they are easy to see and grab. Books can be a helpful reminder to us of the season we are in and the saints we are celebrating, as well as inspire us to live the virtues that they represent.
3. Acts of Love Jar– Create a jar filled with small slips of paper suggesting acts of love and kindness, such as “Pray for someone today” or “Help with a chore without being asked.”
Tip: You can create enough for the entire month of February, or maybe just for the week of St. Valentine's Day. Explain to your children how the jar works, and make it a part of the morning or after school routine. Build excitement around it!
Adaptation: You can also do this with popsicle sticks and a small vase or glass.
4. Bake Heart-Shaped Treats– Bake cookies or cupcakes in heart shapes and discuss how love should be shared with others, just as St. Valentine shared Christ’s love.
Idea: Similar to how we do a Christmas cookie share, you might consider making a little extra and gifting it to your children's teachers, your neighbors, or your friends.
Adaptation: If you don't have time to make them, buy them!
5. Family Rosary for Love– Pray the rosary together, focusing on the mysteries that reflect God’s love, such as the Joyful Mysteries.
Adaptation: If you have really small children, try just doing one decade together. From my years of teaching small children I'd also like to recommend that you try this. Every time you say the word "Mary" tell them to do a certain hand gesture, like make a heart with their hands 🫶 or place their hands over their heart. Now they are actively listening to the words you are saying, staying more quiet during prayer, and engaging in a more sensory manner which will help to hold their attention.
6. Craft a Love Banner– Make a decorative banner with phrases like “God is Love” and hang it in your home as a visual reminder of divine love.
7. Write Letters to Jesus– Encourage children to write letters to Jesus, expressing their love and gratitude for Him.
Tip: I highly recommend creating a memory box for each of your children. My husband and I both have something like this from our childhood and it is such a treasure to pull out things that we created when we were smaller. Our memory boxes also helps us to remember the traditions that our families did with us, so that we can continue those things. These sweet little St. Valentine's Day letters to Jesus would be just the thing to keep.
8.Create a Liturgical Playlist– Compile songs about God’s love to listen to throughout the day and have a joyful sing-along session.
Embracing the True Meaning of Love
St. Valentine's Day is a great opportunity to teach our children, spouses, and families that love is more than fleeting emotions; it is a decision to will the good of the other, just as Christ loves us. By celebrating St. Valentine’s feast liturgically, we can manifest what we believe in our homes with faith, love, and a deeper connection to our Catholic heritage.
As you celebrate, share your activities and reflections with other Catholic families and inspire each other to live liturgically with joy and purpose. Happy Feast of St. Valentine!
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