A Catholic Single Woman’s Guide to Valentine’s Day
Updated: Feb 6, 2021
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and I’m still single .
Despite never having celebrated Valentine’s Day with a significant other, I love Valentine’s Day.
On Valentine’s day there is an abundance of two (2) of my favourite things in this world - chocolate and flowers!
When I was little my father was my valentine and he would always buy me chocolate and a single red rose. Now that I’m a little older my dad has stopped this ritual and instead drops subtle hints that it’s time to get a boyfriend. (Ahh that’s a topic for another day!)
Deep in my heart I know that the solution to my obsession with Valentine’s Day is not getting a temporary beaux but instead to pray and discover what spiritual chocolates and red roses my Heavenly Father wants to give me.
Maybe you’re in the same boat !
I want to encourage you this year instead of ignoring the day, to celebrate it and enjoy it- the Catholic single woman’s way!
Have a feast! - It’s a feast day
St Valentine was a beautiful saint who was martyred for the faith!
There is not much reliably known about him, however the most popularly known story is that he was a Catholic priest and physician who was imprisoned and later martyred for marrying Christian couples and aiding Christians being persecuted by Claudius in Rome 270 AD.
St. Valentine is the Patron Saint of affianced couples, bee keepers, engaged couples, epilepsy, fainting, greetings, happy marriages, love, lovers, plague, travellers, and young people.
Why not celebrate the day in a holy way, by asking the intercession of this beautiful saint not only for yourself but for any couples or married persons you know who may need it!
Go to Mass
This year Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday so it’s perfect!
There is no greater celebration of love than a Catholic Mass.
There, Jesus gives Himself to you, body, blood, soul and divinity.
Jesus, Himself is the best Valentine's Day gift, better than chocolates and flowers.
Go on a date- with Jesus
I wouldn’t recommend going on a first date with a stranger on Valentine’s Day.
However I would highly encourage you to date the lover of your soul.
A perfect way is through Adoration.
If you can do this in person, great!
If not, there is live Eucharistic Adoration on Youtube that you can use.
Why not go all out for your spiritual “date”?
Here’s an idea.
Get a candle and flowers.
Decorate a small table with them and put your computer on with Jesus alone on the screen.
Spend as long as you want just pouring your heart out to Him and letting Him love you.
It may be the best date you ever go on.
Show some love
Valentine’s day unfortunately has become an over-commercialized showcase of romantic love.
Romantic love is beautiful but it’s not the only kind of love that should be celebrated.
As Catholic Christians let’s change the culture of Valentine’s Day for the better!
Let's start new traditions and ways of celebrating Valentine’s Day by showing love to everyone, especially those who need it most!
Disclaimer: In order not to be misunderstood when giving someone a non-romantic gift on Valentine’s Day, be sure to attach a Bible verse about God’s love in order to highlight the spirit in which you give it.
Here are some creative ideas:
Volunteer at an organisation that works with the marginalised
Bake a cake or cookies for the priest in your parish or a priest you know well
Cook a nice meal for your family
Send an encouraging word or text to an elderly person who is a widow
Make anonymous letters for friends/family/people you may know telling them how much Jesus loves them!
As a single person you have a unique superpower that many people don’t have- emotional availability!
Don’t waste any time moping and being sad that you have no one to buy you flowers or chocolates or say, “I love you” on Valentine’s day.