Do you get a box of chocolate, a bunch of roses or a gift for your loved one on Friday? Valentine’s Day is celebrated slightly differently in Westerhoven. The village will be renamed Valentinusdorp this Friday. More than a hundred people go to the Sint Valentinus Chapel in the evening to honor this saint. “Couples often take on the commitment in this chapel.”
Along a running stream in the outskirts of Westerhoven is the Sint Valentinus Chapel. Holy Valentinus is honored in the chapel on the Loverensedijk. He is seen as the patron saint against fevers, warts, rheumatic pains and the ‘falling disease’, as epilepsy used to be called.
It has been a busy chapel for years. “He is world famous,” kapelmeester Thomas van Hulsel jokes. During the week, about two hundred people visit Sint Valentinus. “I see that in the candles. Dozens go through every day. When I am there, I will never be alone.”
“Sometimes a marriage is performed.”
In addition to the chapel there is also a famous water source. It is said that it has medical forces. People mainly come to the chapel to pray for others who are sick. “They light a candle for someone if they thank Valentinus for a successful operation,” the chapelmaster knows.
The name of the chapel is also connected to the global day of love: Valentine’s Day. And that does not go unnoticed. “In the chapel, couples regularly explain the love. For example, people light candles for their relationship. Sometimes a marriage is performed,” Van Hulsel explains.
The emergence of Valentine’s Day
Worldwide, February 14 is celebrated as the day of the loved ones. Various myths have emerged over the origin of Valentine’s Day over the centuries. In history, at least three saints with the name Valentinus have been.
The best known story is that of priest Sint Valentinus from Rome. This priest would have married soldiers in secret, while they were not allowed to marry at that time. When the emperor discovered this, he had Valentinus beheaded on February 14, 269 AD. Valentinus thus became a martyr for love.
On Friday there is also extra attention for the chapel. Westerhoven is then renamed ‘Valentinusdorp’. “Flowers are laid in the chapel in the morning and a place name sign will be placed at the entrance.”
“People come from all over the Netherlands.”
In the evening there is a praise in the Sint-Servatiuskerk. Then, at half past seven, a procession starts. That is a year -old tradition. With candles the participants walk from the Kerkplein to the chapel. According to the Kapelmeester, many people always participate. “People come from all over the Netherlands. For example, I spoke to someone who had come from Delft last year. Usually about one hundred and fifty people walk along.”
What is the attraction of Sint Valentinus? “I think people on Valentine’s Day are mainly about the love that belongs to the saint. The rest of the year people prefer to light a candle for the sick.”
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