The various martyrologies include at least ten holy men named Valentine. Interestingly, each of them died as a martyr for love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The Polish National Catholic Church commemorates the martyr Valentine who was killed in the persecution of Claudius II, the Goth, in 269. This martyr’s history appears in the Nuremberg Chronicle of 1493 alongside the woodcut portrait of Valentine. The text indicates that he was a priest of the Roman diocese who was arrested and imprisoned when he was found to be ministering to Christians who were imprisoned. The text further indicates that he performed marriages for Christian couples facing death. The Emperor Claudius took a liking to Valentine until Valentine tried to convert the Emperor to Christianity.
Valentine was condemned to death. The Emperor ordered that he be beaten with clubs and stoned. Having failed to kill Valentine the Emperor ordered that he be beheaded. Valentine was beheaded outside the Flaminian Gate on February 14, 269.
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver” Your site is reminiscent of the above proverb. Thank you for all your work on this site!
I was born in 1952 and was baptized at St. Valentine’s. Both of my Dad’s parents were from Poland. I have fond memories of many activities. I remember dressing up on Easter Sunday and being in the procession. Having breakfast in the hall. The Priest coming to each home Holy Saturday and blessing the food. I will forward this to any member of my family who has access to the Internet. I even went to Polish School. I will certainly be visiting often. Pat Rhodes (Maiden Name Berrish)
I am looking for information on my ggrandfather Stanley Golembeski ggrandmother Anna Golembeski. They are buried in the St. Stanlislaus Polish National Cemetery.
Just browsing PNCC sites. I’m RC, but have PNCC relatives who lived in Syracuse, NY. God Bless.
Your website is wonderful. Having been raised Polish National Catholic, I am overjoyed that your parish is still going strong! God Bless all your faithful!
I grew up in this church and have many fond memories of serving as an altar boy, Receiving the God and Country Award and receiving the Eagle Award from the church’s Boy Scouting Troop in 1969 Troop 151.
We were married there 24 years ago and hold a warm spot for all the people wo helped me grow up along the way.
Glad to see there is another Saint Valentine Church in the U.S.
Nice parish website. Didn’t know much about the PNCC. I always see this church tower from 95. If I were Polish I’d probably attend.
Bill,
You are always welcome. While the PNCC was organized by Polish emigrants we welcome people of all cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Feel free to stop by any day even if just to say a prayer.
Helen,
The records for St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Scranton can be obtained by contacting the St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Cathedral Parish at (570) 343-6017.
Good job on the new site! I think I know Bill and like him have seen this church from 95 and from nearby streets as well.
My grandparents, Victoria & Alexander J. Budney, immigrated from Poland in the very early 1900’s. They met through and were married at St. Valentines PNCC. One of their daughters, Norah (Anastasia) was married to Richard E. Lukens (they were my parents) in 1937 at the Parrish House of SVPNCC. Both of my grandparents and an aunt & uncle, Laura (Ponczek) and Albert J. Budney, are buried at St Valentines Cemetary in Andalusia. One of the stained glass windows in your sanctuary names my grandparents. I have visited your church and have very warm feelings towards it as well as your people because of the loving memories conveyed to me by the precious folks that I have named here. I am proud that a part of my lineage is Polish. Blessings to each of you.