This is a photo of the flower-crowned skull allegedly of Saint Valentine which is currently on display  in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, Rome Italy.

Here’s the issue:  Saint Valentine (or in Latin, Valentinus) is the name of several martyred saints of ancient Rome. The name “Valentine” apparently was quite popular as it meant “valor”. 

Of the Saint Valentine whose feast is on February 14, nothing is known except his name and that he was buried on February 14. 

It is even uncertain whether the feast of that day celebrates only one saint or more saints of the same name.   For this reason St. Valentine was not kept in the Catholic calendar of saints for universal liturgical veneration as revised in 1969.   Doubting Thomas?  Read it and weep for the fallen Saint.

So I wanna know who’s skull this really is!   

And how often do they change the flowers on the crown?

My funny Valentine / Sweet comic Valentine / You make me smile with my heart.
Your looks are laughable / Unphotographable / Yet you’re my favorite work of art.
Is your figure less than Greek? / Is your mouth a little weak? / When you open it to speak / Are you smart?
But don’t change a hair for me / Not if you care for me / Stay little Valentine stay / Each day is Valentine’s day.

Vocals by Michelle Pfeiffer, Piano by Dave Grusin from the soundtrack of the film “The Fabulous Baker Boys”

Michelle Pfeiffer – My Funny Valentine Fabulous Baker Boys