Saint Privat de Mende

Privat of Mende is a saint of the Catholic Church, likely born near Clermont, who is believed to have died around 255 or 260. He is known for his martyrdom on the slopes of Mount Mimat in Mende, in the Gévaudan region. His hermitage is a place of pilgrimage that was very popular during the Middle Ages. The date of his death is contested, with some occasionally suggesting the 5th century, but a large number of writings tend to prove that the 3rd-century date is the most probable. He is counted among the great saints of Gaul, alongside Denis of Paris, Saturnin of Toulouse, Martial of Limoges, Martin of Tours, Ferréol of Vienne, and Julian of Brioude.