This is the entry from my short version of Butler's Lives:
Valentine was a holy priest in Rome, who, with St. Marius and his family, assisted the martyrs in their persecution under Claudius II. He was apprehended and sent by the emperor to the prefect of Rome, who, on finding all his promises to make him renounce his faith ineffectual, commanded him to be beaten with clubs, and afterward to be beheaded, which was executed on the 14th of February, about the year 270. Pope Julius I is said to have built a church near Ponte Mole, which for a long time gave name to the gate now called Porta del Popolo, formerly Porta Valentini. The greater part of his relics are now in the Church of St. Praxedes. To abolish the heathens' lewd superstitious custom of boys drawing the name of girls, in honor of their goddess Februsta Juno, opn the 15th of this month, several zealous pastors substituted the names of Saints in billets given on this day.
Don't forget Sts. Cyril and Methodius, who officially have the feast day today.
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