Learning About Love With St. ValentineSample

What is Patient Love?

“Roses are red,” goes the old quote

and in short notes our dear saint wrote:

“Love is patient,” and “Love is kind.”

“Love’s not proud,” and “Bear in mind:

over all virtues, put on love.”

Then, as he prayed to God above,

he tied each note up with some twine,

and signed them, “from your Valentine.”

St. Valentine shared God’s word with others through these special notes. On one of them he wrote, “Love is patient.” What does it mean to be patient? Have you ever heard love described as patient? What do you think it means?

Being patient is an act of love. Think about the first time you tried to do something new, like tie your shoes or ride a bike. Did the person who was teaching you those things yell at you when you couldn’t do it on the first try? Or were they patient with you, showing you again how to do the things that were hard for you? Being patient requires thinking of the other person instead of yourself and trying to understand what they need and might be going through.

Can you think of a time when you were not patient or understanding with someone you love?

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for how you are always patient with me, even when I am not patient with others. Please show me how to have more understanding for the people I love.

Activity: Think of one person in your life that you need to show patient love to. Make them a valentine with the phrase “Love is patient” written on it. If you have some, tie it up with twine, and sign it “from your Valentine.”

From Saint Valentine the Kindhearted: The History and Legends of God's Brave and Loving Servant. Copyright ©2024 by Ned Bustard. Used by permission.

For more information, please visit https://www.ivpress.com/saint-valentine-the-kindhearted