From The South
Greetings from the South!
On this month of February, we will be celebrating Valentine’s Day. The history of Valentine’s Day is obscure and further clouded by various fanciful legends. The holiday’s root is in the ancient Roman festival of Lupercaria, a fertility celebration commemorated annually on February 15th. But Pope Gelasius I recast this pagan festival as a Christian feast day circa 496, declaring February 14 to be Valentine’s Day instead.
Over the centuries, the holiday evolved and by the 18th century, gift giving and exchanging hand-made cards on Valentine’s Day had become common in England. Hand-made valentine cards made of lace, ribbons and featuring cupids and hearts eventually spread to the American colonies. Today, of course, the holiday has become commercial success according to the U.S. Greeting Card Association.
In Freemasonry, we share to the same antiquity, love and care, success and development that we apply to our craft. As we celebrate this day of Love and Caring, we give special thoughts to those people who are dear in our hearts as we continue expressing our care, renewing our vows to long and lasting relationships.
In celebration of Valentine’s Day, we in Coronado Lodge will have our annual Sweetheart’s Ball rightfully on February 14th. Refreshments will be provided by the lodge, so come with your dancing shoes and good appetite and join us for a night full of excitement and fellowship.
Fraternally,
Billy Villegas
Junior Warden