Valentine’s Day fills our children’s world with hearts, sweets and fun, but it also offers us a chance to teach them about love through our faith. Instead of focusing only on romance, we can use this holiday to explore love’s many dimensions, helping our children grow in their understanding of true, faith-centered love.
The Simple Love of Family (Storge)
Affection, or storge, is the love we find in the day-to-day moments shared with family. Remind your children that love isn’t just grand gestures; it’s in the small acts of care we show one another. Together, make a “gratitude chain” by writing things you appreciate about each other on paper links. This shows them that love often grows through ordinary moments.
The Gift of Friendship (Philia)
Valentine’s Day is also a perfect time to celebrate friendship. Encourage your kids to make cards for their friends or perform a small act of kindness. Share stories of saints with meaningful friendships, like St. Clare and St. Francis, to help them see friendship as a journey of faith.
The Sacredness of Marriage (Eros)
For younger children, you might explain that marriage is a special love from God. For older children, Valentine’s Day is a great chance to talk about the sacrament of marriage, showing how this love mirrors Christ’s love for the Church and calls for lifelong commitment and faith.
The Selfless Love of Charity (Agape)
The highest form of love, agape, is selfless and giving. Teach your children to love others by making a small care package or card for someone in need, showing that love asks nothing in return.
In celebrating Valentine’s Day this way, we help our children see love as not only beautiful but holy — a true gift that connects us to God and each other.
By Andrea DePaola