Proculus of Bologna

Italian saint and martyr

Saint Proculus of Bologna
The Basilica of San Domenico, in Bologna, contains a statue of Saint Proculus by Michelangelo.
Died	304 AD
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church

Saint Proculus of Bologna or Saint Proculus the Soldier (died c. 304 AD) is an Italian saint. He is said to have been a Roman officer who was martyred at Bologna under Diocletian.^[1]

Traditional Narrative

Saint Proculus is the military patron of Bologna. In the time of the Diocletian, one Marinus was sent to Bologna to enforce the emperor's edict. Incensed by Marinus' cruelty, Proculus went to Marinus' house and killed him with an axe.^[2] The Bolognese have held Proculus in veneration from very ancient times. His remains are preserved in the church of San Procolo in Bologna.

References

^ Benigni, Umberto. "Bologna." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 2. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1907. 8 Apr. 2013
^ Erskine, Claire and Waters, Clement. A Handbook of Christian Symbols and Stories of the Saints as Illustrated in Art, Ticknor, 1886