*ST PRAETEXTATUS* *Bishop and Martyr* *February 24* _Praetextatus, male, and Praetextata, female is of Latin origin which means to Testify or *Sincere* or *Friendship*_ Praetextatus became Bishop of Rouen in 549 AD and held that position for thirty - five (35) years. Caught up in the politics of his time, he was summoned to appear before a council of Bishops in Paris to defend himself against the charge of having approved and officiated the marriage of a noble, Meroveus, to his aunt, and being rebellious by giving aid to the Prince. According to St Gregory of Tours, Praetextatus denied the first charge, but after following the advice of friends to admit helping Meroveus, he was condemned and banished to an island off Coutances. Later, he returned to his diocese and was formally reinstated at the Council of Mâcon. Praetextatus frequently admonished the queen who lived at Rouen about her evil regime and thus gained her hatred. In 586 AD, the queen threatened him with exile once again. Shortly thereafter, while reciting Matins in church, he was stabbed by an assassin, thereby gaining the crown of Matyrdom. Happy feast day to all Praetextatus. St Praetextatus, pray for us. _Roncalli_