Jean Préhu, born on March 27, 1920, in Laval, France, was a devoted Scout and an active member of the Jeunesse Étudiante Chrétienne (Young Christian Students – JEC). From an early age, he was formed in a spirit of faith, solidarity, and service. These values would later shape his courageous resistance to the Nazi regime, ultimately leading to his martyrdom.

Préhu enlisted in the French army on October 13, 1938, serving in the 39th Fortress Artillery Regiment at Metz. He was taken prisoner on June 17, 1940, near Strasbourg, and deported to Germany. Held at Stalag VI H in Düren and later at VI G in Bonn, he met fellow prisoners like Raymond Louveau and Abbé Rondeau. At Kommando 624, he formed a clandestine Christian support group modeled after Scout and JEC methods, working alongside Jean Bernier and Father Harignodoquy.

This underground network, which promoted Christian fraternity and reflection on social issues, was considered subversive by the Nazi authorities. In August 1944, Préhu was arrested by the Cologne Staadtpolizei in violation of the Geneva Convention. He was deported to Buchenwald concentration camp on September 17, 1944, and registered as prisoner number 81817. He was later transferred to Langensalza Kommando.

Jean Préhu died on April 27, 1945, during the strafing of the infamous “death train” headed to Dachau. In 1983, he was officially recognized as a déporté résistant (resistance deportee) by the French government.

In 2024, the Vatican formally included Jean Préhu among the group of 50 French Catholic martyrs whose beatification cause is underway, recognizing them as victims of hatred of the faith (odium fidei). Préhu’s unwavering commitment to faith and justice remains a profound witness for today’s world.

Sources:

1. Vatican – Causes of Saints
   https://www.causesanti.va/it/santi-e-beati/cayre-cendrier-vallee-mestre-e-46-compagni.html
2. Mémoire et Résistance – Jean Préhu (by Dominique Morin)
   https://www.memoresist.org/resistant/jean-prehu/
3. Le Salon Beige – 50 French Catholics Martyred by the Nazis to Be Beatified
   https://lesalonbeige.fr/cinquante-catholiques-francais-tues-par-le-regime-nazi-reconnus-martyrs-et-bientot-beatifies/
4. Saint-Ouen – List of Recognized Martyrs
   http://perso.numericable.com/gabriel.floricich/saint-ouen/pages/y-carrier_liste_martyrs.html
5. Association Buchenwald-Dora – Jean Préhu
   https://asso-buchenwald-dora.com/prehu-jean-klb-81817/
6. DUMAS – Université de Bretagne Sud, MA Thesis on French Martyrs
   https://dumas.ccsd.cnrs.fr/dumas-02086417v1/file/2018%20-%20RADIGUET%20DE%20LA%20BASTAIE%20%20His.pdf

Article written and compiled by Roshan Melwyn Lobo, Secretary General, International Young Catholic Students (IYCS-JECI).