Valentine's Day century. Popular modern sources claim links to unspecified Greco-Roman February holidays alleged to be devoted to fertility and love to St. Valentine's Day, but prior to Chaucer in the 14th century, there were no links between the saints named Valentinus and romantic love. In Ancient Rome, Lupercalia, observed February 13–15, was an archaic rite connected to fertility. Lupercalia was a festival local to the city of Rome. The more general Festival of Juno Februa, meaning "Juno the purifier" or "the chaste Juno", was celebrated on February 13–14. Pope Gelasius I (492–496) abolished Lupercalia. Some researchers have theorized that Gelasius I
The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Roman Catholic Church (Belgique, Missouri) The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Roman Catholic Church (Belgique, Missouri) The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church was a Roman Catholic church in Belgique, Missouri. The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church was founded in 1884 by Catholic settlers from Belgium. Father D.L. De Ceumynck, an immigrant from Belgium, served as the church's first priest. The first church building was erected in 1885. In 1893 a new church was built and the older building was then used as the school. In 1963, the pastor at Belgique was assigned to administer to the Catholics at Claryville and