February – The Phases of Love (Series): Exploring the Origins, History, and Relationship of Lent and St. Valentine’s Day

by | Home, PatchWords

 

Introduction

Welcome to week three of my series, The Phases of Love. In the first blog, I explored the Meaning of Love and its pivotal effects in our lives. The second focused on the vibrant celebration of Carnival in Puerto Rico, delving into its history, traditions, mask-making, and the two main Carnival characters: King Momo and the “Vejigantes.”  As promised, today’s post will examine the relationship between Lent and St. Valentine’s Day.

Origin of Lent

Origin of Lent: Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter. Nonetheless, this sacred season of spiritual strengthening, marked by prayers, fasting, and almsgiving, has evolved dramatically from its Roman and Jewish traditions to what we celebrate today. It all began over 2000 years ago when Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil for 40 days. (Matthew 4:1-11) Once this process was over, Jesus began his ministry. During the Last Supper, Jesus washed the apostles’ feet and prayed, not only for them but also for those who would come to believe in him through his disciples. On Good Friday, Jesus was crucified and resurrected on Easter Sunday.

During Lent, we unite ourselves with Jesus’ temptation in the desert and, through fasting and prayer, seek to cleanse our souls of any impurities, so that we may celebrate Easter with a pure heart. Although from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday are 46 days, why do we say 40 days of fasting? If you exclude the six Sundays, which are considered “new Easter,” when we should rejoice and not mourn, then you have 40 days for fasting and praying.

From early Christianity to Today

From early Christianity to today: I will emphasize only key historical events. Early Christians shifted the first day of the week from Saturday (Jewish Sabbath) to Sunday (Resurrection Day). Council of Nicaea (325 AD), when the 40-day fast was recognized. The Council of Trent (1545-1563) reemphasized the importance of this season. Pope Pius XII (1876-1958) and Vatican II (1962-1965) shifted the focus of Lent to the spiritual aspect, just like Jesus taught us.  Today, Lent is observed not only by Roman Catholics but also by other Christian denominations: Lutheran, Anglican, Presbyterian, Eastern Orthodox, and some Protestants. However, each one follows its own set of rules, practices, interpretations, and liturgical calendar. The purpose of Lent: moreover, it is worth mentioning that the purpose of reflection, repentance, fasting, and prayer in preparation for Easter has been consistent throughout time!

How should I Fast?

How should I fast? Today, we are no longer bound by the rigorous fasting rules of the past: abstinence from meat and other animal products, dairy, and one meal per day. Nonetheless, Catholics are expected to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday and Fridays during Lent. There are many ways to fast, which means sacrificing something that you like and offering up to unite yourself with Jesus’ suffering in the desert. For example, you can abstain from consuming certain foods, drinks, violent movies or TV programs, vulgar music, etc. You can limit your social media consumption. Furthermore, you can choose to listen to music or read books with uplifting messages.

Origin of St. Valentine’s Day

Origin:  This beloved festivity is celebrated every year on February 14, but few know its origins. On St. Valentine’s Day, we express our love or friendship by gifting chocolates, cards, and/or flowers. But did you know it originated in two Roman events?  The Festival of Lupercalia and the martyrdom of St. Valentine of Rome and St. Valentine of Terni.

Festival of Lupercalia

Festival of Lupercalia: This pagan festival was celebrated in mid-February and was rooted in Roman mythology. It was dedicated to the fertility gods, as well as the she-wolf who nursed the twins Romulus and Remus, founders of Rome. The name of the festival comes from the Latin words: “Lupus,” meaning “wolf,” and “Lupercal,” a sacred cave on the Palatine Hill in Rome, where the legend says, “Lupus” took care of those legendary twins. The festival includes rituals of fertility and purification, pairing of men and women through a lottery system, animal sacrifices, and, more dramatically, the whipping of women with goat hides. The rituals were performed by a pagan Priest known as Luperci. The Priest will cut the goat hides into strips. It was thought that the touch of the hides might increase fertility among women; hence, they were “whipped” in a symbolic way as the priest went through the streets of Rome. Likewise, it had elements of purification that linked the fertility of the crops and the women, ensuring family prosperity. This pagan festivity was banned around 494 AD by Pope Gelasius I and replaced by the Feast of St. Valentine on February 14.

St. Valentine of Rome

St. Valentine of Rome: Although the Catholic Church recognizes three saints named Valentine, this festival of love is associated mostly with St. Valentine of Rome and St. Valentine of Terni. St. Valentine of Rome was a 3rd-century Roman priest, known for his commitment to love and marriage.  Based on a legend, he was beaten with clubs during his imprisonment and then beheaded for refusing to renounce his faith and practices.

St. Valentine of Terni

St. Valentine of Terni: He was a 3rd-century Roman Bishop, also known as Valentine of Interamna. Why two different names and locations for one Bishop? The answer is simple: Interamna was an Italian city, where Terni is located today. He was known for his compassion, affection, healing miracles, and bold Christian faith. He was beheaded and buried along the Via Flaminia in Rome, where a Church was built.

Martyrdom of these two St. Valentins

Martyrdom of these two St. Valentins:  Their martyrdom is a mix of legends and overlapping historical facts. Thus, Scholars seem to agree on the day and one of the reasons for their martyrdom.  The execution day was February 14, around 269 AD. Likewise, Scholars believe the reason for their martyrdom was defying an order from Emperor Claudius Gothicus (Claudius II), which prohibited the marriage of young men, thinking that single men made better soldiers. They continue to secretly marry young Christian couples to prevent their military service and dying on war.

Was St. Valentine a real person?

Although the real identity of St. Valentine puzzles many Scholars, his existence was confirmed by archaeologists in 1836. They unearthed an ancient Roman catacomb and Church dedicated to St. Valentine on the Via Flamina on Rome. The catacomb, known as the Catacombs of St. Valentine, contains inscriptions and artifacts that provide valuable insights into early Christian practices and the veneration of saints. Moreover, this discovery confirmed the burial place story of St. Valentine of Terni.

Relationship between Lent and St. Valentine’s Day

Relationship between Lent and St. Valentine’s Day: Both are rooted in Christian traditions, inviting us to meditate on the true meaning of love and marriage. In my first blog, I talked about the 5 common types of love: self-love, infatuation, platonic, romantic, and unconditional. Jesus and St. Valentine honored marriage and expressed their unconditional love by laying their lives for the sake of others. Nonetheless, today St. Valentine’s Day has lost its Christian foundation and become more secular. Despite this negative trend, in the years 1923, 1934, 1945, 2018, and 2024, Ash Wednesday and St. Valentine’s Day fell on the same day. Those years were challenging for many Catholics and Christians who wanted to keep a delicate balance between expressing love to their loved one, while keeping the sacrificial aspect of Lent. Nevertheless, those challenges in life spark our creativity to express our love without losing focus of its true meaning.

Conclusion

Conclusion: Both Lent and St. Valentine’s Day encourage us to ponder about the different phases of love, what it means to love and be loved, and how these expressions of love influence our lives and relationships!

Preview

Starting mid-March, I will begin a meditational series based on the deuterocanonical book of Judith. During those 16 weeks, we will be “Walking a Mile with Judith,” a virtuous widow who feared God and trusted in His deliverance.

 

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February – The Phases of Love (Series): Carnival History, Traditions, and Mask-Making in Puerto Rico

by | Home, PatchWords

Introduction

Welcome to week two of my series, The Phases of Love. In the previous blog, I explored the Meaning of Love and its pivotal effects in our lives. As promised, today’s post will focus on the vibrant celebration of Carnival

Origins of Carnival

Origin: Who has never heard of this highly popular celebration? Although a highly popular celebration, its origins are often not well-known. Carnival began as a pagan celebration in the 3rd Century with the Roman Saturnalia, followed by the Greek Dionysian Festivals in the 500 BCE, where people honored their gods. Over time, Christian traditions shaped Carnival further, and during the Middle Ages (5th to 15th Centuries), it evolved into a celebration preceding Lent, a period of fasting and penance. Scholars believe the word “Carnival” is derived from the Latin phrase “carne levare,” which means “to remove meat,” aligning with the fasting practices associated with the 40 days of Lent.

Carnival Celebrations Around the World

Carnival celebrations around the world: While there are many worth mentioning Carnival Festivities around the world, I will tell you how we, Puerto Ricans, celebrate Carnival!

Carnival in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico: Carnival in Puerto Rico is an exciting event filled with music, dance, parades, and our famous “Vejigantes.” There is plenty to see and do during Feb 6 to 23, but dates and lengths vary by city. Traditionally, Carnival is celebrated before Ash Wednesday, though Vega Alta, for example, celebrates it from February 21-23.

The most renowned Carnival in Puerto Rico is held in Ponce, located on the southern coast. Because “Ponce es Ponce,” the town hosts two major celebrations:

Carnival of Vejigantes of Playa de Ponce

Carnival of Vejigantes of the “Playa de Ponce” (Carnaval de Vejigantes de la Playa): This weekend “Pre-Carnival” event centers around the Vejigantes. During the Vejigantes Parade, participants showcase their costumes and masks. The event takes place from February 6-8 at Lucy Grillasca Park.

Ponce Carnival (Carnaval Ponceño)

Ponce Carnival (Carnaval Ponceño): This is the oldest carnival on the island, dating back to 1856. This year marks its 168th anniversary, celebrated from February 12 to 17. The carnival is characterized by a variety of events and lively music.

Six Days of Celebration

Six Days of Celebration: Carnival in Ponce is celebrated over six days, each featuring unique events:

  • Thursday: The Mask Ball (Gran Baile de Mascaras) signals the start of the festivities.
  • Friday: Entrance of King Momo (Entrada del Rey Momo), a symbolic ruler of Carnival. Typically, it is a local celebrity whose identity will be kept secret until the last day.
  • Saturday: Coronation Night for the Carnival Queens, followed by a parade.
  • Sunday: Carnival Parade (Desfile de Carnaval), featuring Vejigantes, floats with the queens, other typical Carnival groups, and lively music.
  • Monday: More partying continues.
  • Tuesday: The famous Sardine Burial Parade (Desfile del Entierro de la Sardina). It is a farewell to the excessive partying of the previous days. A “Sardine,” symbolizing indulgence and revelry is adorned and placed inside an open coffin. During the mock funeral procession, participants wear costumes and carry the sardine to its burial site, concluding the celebrations with humor, satire, lively music, dance, and some sadness.

Video: https://youtube.com/shorts/Q9GiaPxyi7s?si=nMixzyaQWTa9oPKH (Video Credit: Emmanuel Melendez)

Curiosity Facts

Curiosity Facts: As odd as it might sound for some, Monday, Feb 16 and Tuesday, Feb 17 are National Carnival Holidays. On Ash Wednesday, life returns to normal for most, except those observing religious traditions.

The Vejigante: Carnival’s Main Character

Free Stock Photo from Heriberto Jahir (pexels.com)

“Vejigante”: The “Vejigante” is the central figure of Carnival. Historians believe the term “Vejigante” comes from the Spanish words “vejiga” (bladder) and “gigante” (giant), referencing to the use of cow bladders in mask-making in medieval Spain. Over time, the “Vejigante” evolved from a demon figure in Spain to an iconic folkloric character in Puerto Rican Carnival. “Vejigantes” wear costumes with bat-like wings and horned masks (“careta”). Traditionally, their colors were green, yellow, and red, or red and black, but today they feature many bright colors.

Vejigante Masks

“Vejigante” Masks: Although it all started as a brightly colored, blown cow bladder in Spain, the ones from Puerto Rico are made using different materials, which reflects our blend of Taino, Spaniard, and African traditions. The towns of Loiza and Ponce are internationally known for their mask-making skills, and many masks are even exhibited in renowned museums worldwide.

Loiza Masks

Loiza: In Loiza, masks are crafted from coconut shells, carved to fit a human face. Eyes and mouth openings are carved, and teeth are made from bamboo. Loiza is on the northeastern coast of Puerto Rico and is known for its African heritage and traditions like the “Bomba.” Famous mask maker Raúl Ayala is a famous mask maker. His masks are easily recognized for the buckteeth and three horns, continuing a family tradition of coconut shell mask-making. 

Ponce Masks

Ponce: In contrast to the ones from Loiza, the ones from Ponce are made from papier-mâché and are notorious for their numerous horns. The traditional technique involves layering papier-mâché paste made from wheat flour and hot water over a mold. After drying, the masks are sanded and painted. Three notable mask makers from Ponce are Juan Alindato, Juan Alindato Jr., and Miguel Caraballo.

  • Juan Alindato: His masks are famous for their vibrant colors and elaborate designs, featuring horns, elongated snouts, menacing teeth, devil-like features, and hundreds of painted dots. In 1987, Mr. Alindato received the prestigious National Heritage Fellowship (NEA) Award for his outstanding craftsmanship. This award is presented annually to recognize artists for their lifetime achievements in folk and traditional arts.

 

  • Juan Alindato Jr.: Continues the family tradition, but with a twist. He adds animal motifs to his designs and involves his children in the craft. For him, the creative process is simple but time-consuming:  tearing paper bags or newsprint, moistening them in glue, layering them over a greased mold, drying, cutting out features, and painting.

 

Image Credit: National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution

  • Miguel Caraballo: Known for masks with long snouts and multiple horns, Caraballo uses traditional papier-mâché techniques, incorporating newspaper, kraft paper, and flour paste. His masks take about two weeks to make and are exhibited in institutions like the Museum of the Americas (Old San Juan, Puerto Rico) and the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum of American Art (USA). (Image Credit: National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution)

Conclusion

Carnival is a brief but lively season during which Puerto Ricans celebrate their cultural heritage, cuisine, and traditions. The artistry of mask-making has transformed the original European colorful, inflated cow bladder mask into a unique art form recognized around the world, with pieces displayed in famous museums.

Preview

Next week, I will share with you some interesting facts about Lent and St. Valentin, and how they are somewhat connected.

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