Saint of the Day – 25 January – Saint Praejectus (625–676)

Saint of the Day – 25 January – Saint Praejectus (625–676) Bishop of Clermont, Martyr. Although he was considered a Martyr immediately after his death his murder does not seem to have been related to the hatred of the Faith. Born in 625 in Auvergne, France and died by being stabbed to death on 25 January 676 at Volvic, France. Patronage – Randazzo, Sicily. Also known as – Preietto, Preils, Prejectus, Prest, Prie, Priest, Prix, Proietto, Projectus, Pry.

The Roman Martyrology reads: “In Clermont-Ferrand in the Aquitaine region, in France, Saints Preietto, Bishop and Amarino, man of God, both killed by the notables of the City.”

Praejectus was born in the Auvergne to the nobility. He studied under St Genesius of Clermont and was Ordained a Priest and, with the approval of King Childeric II, became the Bishop of Clermont in 666.

As Bishop, Prajejectus in his 10 years as the shepherd, worked zealously founding Monasteries, hospitals and Churches. He worked with Saint Reol of Rheims, Saint Agilbert of Paris, Saint Amarinus of Clermon and Saint Ouen of Rouen to reform and calm the sometimes violent political situation in their Sees.

During the political struggles of the time, Hector, Lord of Marseilles, had been accused of various crimes and at the order of Childeric, had been arrested and executed. Agritius, the man who killed Praejectus, believed that the Bishop had been responsible for Hector’s death. At Volvic, the assassin thus stabbed Praejectus and Amarinus, the Abbot of a Monastery in the area.

An account of Praejectus’ life was written shortly after his death and he was immediately venerated as a Martyr. The author may have been a nun from the Monastery of Chamalières, which had been founded through Praejectus’ efforts and it was presided over by an Abbess who was probably a member of Praejectus’ family.

Most of St Praejectus’ relics are enshrined in Flavigny Abbey, Flavigny-sur-Ozerain, France., where there is also a miraculous fountain at which cures are granted through the intercession of St Praejectus. In 760 his cultus spread to English monastic calendars. The Church at Volvic, where Praejectus was killed, is dedicated to “St Priest” (Projectus) and where some relics reside.