This Valentine’s Day, say it with a prayer

SHILLONG: For the fifth consecutive year, the Catholic youths of Shillong will remember the sacrifice of St Valentine by observing a Mass at Laitumkhrah Cathedral on Valentine’s Day on Saturday.
“We want to spread the message about the real meaning of Valentine’s Day which is more than a romantic celebration of couples…the day is also meant for genuine love and sacrifice for  the family, parents and friends,” said  Ronnie Wahlang , president of  Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM), Archdiocese of Shillong.
Wahlang said the participation of the faithful in the Mass over the last four years has been encouraging.  “We hope that this time too, there will be large scale participation from the faithful,” he said.
After the Mass, the faithful will exchange greetings which will be followed by light refreshment.
He said parents and youths will join together for the Mass at 3. 30 pm on Saturday and the main celebrant will be Fr. J Shylla, the Youth Director, Shillong Archdiocese.
According to Wahlang, the intention of the Mass is to “renew the commitment towards true love which binds family and friends compared to the momentary mundane love”.
The occasion is also meant to recollect the contribution and sacrifice of St Valentine, a popular third-century Roman saint. He was martyred and buried at the cemetery on the Via Flaminia near the Milvianbridge to the north of Rome on February 14, 273 AD.