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
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church (Fredericksburg, Virginia) St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church (Fredericksburg, Virginia) St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church is located in Fredericksburg, Virginia and is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Arlington. Its grade school is Holy Cross Academy. The original St. Mary on Princess Ann Street was established in 1858 as the Fredericksburg Mission, served by priests from the original cathedral in Richmond. During the American Civil War, the building was used as a hospital and storehouse. In 1871, the church received its first resident pastor. This original church was used until 1970, then sold to