Bishop Denis Nulty at the Accord blessing of an engaged couple at the Shrine of Saint Valentine, Anna Keegan from Dublin and Seamus Walsh from Mayo

Each year, close to St Valentine’s Day, Accord Catholic Marriage Care Service holds a blessing ceremony for a newly engaged couple at the shrine of Saint Valentine in the Carmelite Church in Whitefriar Street, Dublin.  Saint Valentine, a priest in ancient Rome, is regarded as the patron saint of couples in love, preparing for marriage and of married life.  According to tradition, Saint Valentine was martyred on 14 February 250 AD.

The annual blessing ceremony is an opportunity for Accord to reflect on the valuable contribution marriage and stable families offer the wider society.