This is a couple days late but...
Someone asked me why I always talk about my preference for Saint Sebastian rather than Saint Valentine as a representitive for a day devoted to love. My answer was as follows:
"Saint Sebastian was an early Christian martyr who was actually part of the Roman military. It has been said that he was so benevolent and kind his aura could heal those who were sick and he would often heal people regardless of faith or past misdeeds. However, once he was discovered to be a Christian he was tied to a stake by the Romans and literally shot full of arrows. Miraculously he didn't die and was nursed back to health by a woman who found his body in a ditch. Once discovered alive he was again captured by the Romans and stoned to death then thrown in a pit to ensure that he died.
Due to his all around kindness and unquestioning love he is seen as an intercessor for gay Catholics - it's believed that if you pray to Saint Sebastian he will speak to God on your behalf and grant forgiveness for homosexuality.
Now, I personally don't believe homosexuality is a sin but if you're going to use a Christian saint for a holiday about love, why not use a saint who actually promoted love?"
The end!
ugh... I quoted myself...
"Saint Sebastian was an early Christian martyr who was actually part of the Roman military. It has been said that he was so benevolent and kind his aura could heal those who were sick and he would often heal people regardless of faith or past misdeeds. However, once he was discovered to be a Christian he was tied to a stake by the Romans and literally shot full of arrows. Miraculously he didn't die and was nursed back to health by a woman who found his body in a ditch. Once discovered alive he was again captured by the Romans and stoned to death then thrown in a pit to ensure that he died.
Due to his all around kindness and unquestioning love he is seen as an intercessor for gay Catholics - it's believed that if you pray to Saint Sebastian he will speak to God on your behalf and grant forgiveness for homosexuality.
Now, I personally don't believe homosexuality is a sin but if you're going to use a Christian saint for a holiday about love, why not use a saint who actually promoted love?"
The end!
ugh... I quoted myself...