The Catholic Church has urged the faithful to look beyond the commercial trappings of Valentine’s Day and rediscover its deeper spiritual significance.
Brother Cleb Calimutan, president of the Confraternity of the New Apologetics, explained in an interview that the celebration is rooted in the life and sacrifice of Saint Valentine, who symbolizes pure, selfless, and sacrificial love.
He emphasized that while modern culture has transformed the day into a human-centered festivity—marked by flowers, parties, and other practices not originating from the Church—the faithful should not confuse these customs with the Church’s teachings.
Calimutan noted that the widespread commercialization of Valentine’s Day has overshadowed its original meaning, turning it into a consumer-driven event rather than a spiritual commemoration.
He reminded the public that the Church views the day as an opportunity to reflect on genuine love that is rooted in faith, sacrifice, and sincerity.
The Church continues to encourage people to celebrate Valentine’s Day not merely with material gestures but with acts of compassion, honesty, and devotion that embody the true essence of Christian love.
This clarification comes as Valentine’s Day celebrations across the country increasingly focus on consumer activities, highlighting the Church’s call to balance cultural practices with spiritual reflection.
