Every 14 February, across the world, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this unexplained saint and why do we rejoice this holiday? The history of Valentine's Day — and its patron saint — is wearing a veil in mystery.

But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become connected with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church be familiar with at least three dissimilar saints named Valentine or Valentines, all of whom were martyred.