Giving candy for Valentine’s Day? Consider sweets with Catholic roots. Lots of people know that Ferrero Rocher makes a decadent chocolate hazelnut candy, but fewer know that the candy and its creator have close ties to our faith. Michele Ferrero, the company’s founder and a devout Catholic, had a deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and wanted to honor her through his work. It is reported that he named his company “Rocher” after the rock grotto, the Rocher de Massabielle, which marks the location where the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette in Lourdes, France. It was said that Ferrero made annual pilgrimages to Lourdes and organized a visit for his employees. He also had a statue of the Virgin Mary in each of his company’s 14 production facilities around the world. Ferrero passed away on Feb. 14, 2015, at the age of 89, but his delicious legacy lives on in his family-run business.
Flowers are a staple of Valentine’s Day, but why not add a spiritual bouquet to your beloved’s gift? This meaningful Catholic tradition involves saying prayers or performing acts of mercy, charity or devotion offered on behalf of someone else or for their intentions. Just as you can combine any flowers to assemble the perfect arrangement, you can choose any prayers or acts for the spiritual version. Among the most popular are completing a novena, saying a rosary, attending Mass, spending time in Eucharistic Adoration, volunteering time or money to a ministry the recipient cares about, or making a sacrifice (like fasting or giving something up) on behalf of the recipient. While some organizations will send a card if you request Masses, you can also take a DIY approach to crafting your gift. You can describe what you did in a card, via a text message, or cut out paper flowers and write an individual act on each one to present a physical bouquet.