The Carmelite Charism is described as "Love within the heart of the Church." St. Valentine is known as the "Patron Saint of Lovers." And in Ireland ~ this love is honored in a very special way.

In the year 1836, Pope Gregory XVI sent a gift to the Carmelite Church on Whitefriar Street, Dublin. The gift was a relic of a Christian martyr: a small gold-bound casket containing the earthly remains of St. Valentine.

The relic had been exhumed from the cemetary of St. Hyppolytus on the Tiburtine Way in Rome, placed in a golden casket, and brought to Dublin, where it was enshrined in the little Church with great ceremony.

Every year on February 14th, the casket containing Saint Valentine's mortal remains is carried in solemn procession to the high altar of the Carmelite Church for a special Mass dedicated to young people and those in love.

This little known Dublin church also sells Valentine's Day cards, and those purchased there must truly be very special cards to receive.