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. Then the day was renamed after one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine, and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD. It was deleted from the General Roman Calendar of saints in 1969 by Pope Paul VI.
What is most interesting is that during Lupercalia youths would run down long stretches being 'beaten' with strips of flesh from young sheep/goats bellies which would leave them covered in blood. This was to help with the fertility in them. I have a great book called the Cults of Ancient Rome that has a lot about this and many other interesting facts about their rituals
Catholics steal again ancient Pagan day and change it to fit their own purpose. And the world is fooled as usual.
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