Desideratus

ON SAINT DESIDERATUS

BISHOP OF BOURGES IN GAUL.

YEAR 550.

Desideratus, Bishop of Bourges, in Gaul (S.)

G. H.

Five Bishops of the Church of Bourges are venerated in the month of May ascribed to the Saints: of whom S. Desideratus among the proper of the diocese of Bourges is referred to this VIII May. Sacred cult His feast is performed with Ecclesiastical office of nine Lessons: on which day in the MS. Usuard of the Queen of Sweden these things are read: In the field of Bourges the deposition of S. Desideratus, Bishop and Confessor. Another is S. Desideratus, Bishop of the Arvernians in Gaul, whose Acts we have given on XI February, to whom on the same day Constantinus Ghinius added S. Desideratus Bishop of Bourges in the Nativities of the Holy Canons. But Ferrarius refers him to the day XIII May. This S. Desideratus was present at the V Council of Orleans, year of death, held in the year 547, and the II of the Arvernians in the year 549, dying perhaps in the following year on a Sunday, on which then fell the day VIII May, with Cycle of the sun XXVII, Sunday letter B. Extant edited by Philip Labbé is the Patriarchium of Bourges by an anonymous writer, composed in the preceding century, in which in chapter 23 these things are read: Life written. The twenty-third was S. Desideratus: whose deeds a certain Abbot of the Church of Bovium with simple speech transmitted to posterity, which according to the old exemplar, with errors faithfully cleared away, we have appended: from which we also here give. Saussay in the Gallican Martyrology, John Chenu, Claudius Robertus, and the Sammarthani in the Archbishops of Bourges from this formed their eulogies. Some compendium of his from the most ancient Breviary of the Church of Bourges on day VIII May, the said Labbé gave on page 366, in which the same words, which are here, are expressed. The Abbey of Bovium moreover, from which the Life came forth, seems no other to be received, than that which commonly is named le Boeuf, that is, Bos, within three leagues from the city of Limoges. That this is of the Cistercian Order, and was founded in the year 1123 having received Religious from Dalon, write the Sammarthani, and perhaps less rightly call it Bulium, and wished to write Bubium.

LIFE

By the Author the Abbot of Bovium.

Embellished by the Author of the Patriarchium of Bourges.

Desideratus, Bishop of Bourges, in Gaul (S.)

BHL Number: 2138

AUTH. AB. BOVIEN.

[1] In the times of ^a Prince Chlothar, that one holding the scepters of the kingdom of the Franks at the town of Soissons, Sprung from an illustrious family, five miles distant from that city named ^b Sauciacus, these three venerable men, Desiderius, Deodatus and Desideratus, born of father Auginus a most illustrious man, and of mother Agia a most noble woman, were so studious about the worship of God and pious works, that all things which they possessed in the various necessities of guests, the poor, pilgrims, and monks they liberally expended. They were however pure with integrity of faith, blooming with the hope of long-suffering, conspicuous with the light of wisdom, educated by pious parents, notable for the grace of unfeigned charity: in whose house, not, as is wont in the banquets of certain seculars, foul songs of mimes or actors; but Evangelical and Apostolic or Prophetic oracles resounded; leading that day as solemn, on which they had merited to receive into hospitality some herald of the divine word. Therefore the firstborn Desiderius, choosing the monastic life, at length by martyrdom for the defense of the Christian faith was ^c crowned: but Deodatus, had as brothers Desiderius and Deodatus Martyrs. made the supreme and faithful procurator of the royal treasures, although he had been placed in the dignities of the world, yet a religious life he led, just, God-fearing, lovable, pious, prudent, generous and lavish in dispensing alms. And he by night, while he was vigilant in prayers, by rivals, who on account of his goodness and clemency envied him, was killed.

[2] But Saint Desideratus having obtained the office of Auricularius in the hall of the King for ^d signing the Royal edicts, of which he himself was the writer, Made Referendary of the King, kept the seal or ring of the King. For he was provident in sense, sweet in eloquence, comely in countenance, and above all well founded in the charity of Christ. At length he became so pleasing and lovable to the King and all the Nobles, that at his nod all the Palace affairs were conducted, and his counsel both the King himself and all the Magnates received as a divine oracle. Finally he assiduously exhorted the King, that he should worship Christ the King, the Creator and Redeemer of all, without whom no just one reigns, by loving, fearing, and obeying all his commandments, that he should esteem himself rather a partner than lord of the subject peoples; that he should spare the subjects, subdue the proud, exhorts him to embrace the royal virtues. defend the bounds of the empire, and to a more abundant

peace of the Church of Christ he should strive to extend; flagitious persons, such as thieves, homicides, especially heretics, he should drive from the kingdom: admonishing him to take care of holy places before all things, to insist studiously on the works of monasteries to be renovated or constructed; to come piously to the aid of pilgrims, the poor, orphans, and all suffering necessity: saying that it was just and acceptable to God, that he should compassionate the necessities of all his subjects. But the most glorious King Chlothar, the first of this name, willingly accommodated his ear to the admonitions of the man of God: wherefore he stood out stronger than all enemies, and was happier than all Kings, who had preceded him.

[3] Blessed Desideratus therefore among these things, although in the palace of the King under military covering he was seen to stand, himself adorned with every kind of virtues, yet rather a monk than a layman by all was known. For very often adorned with precious garments, and girt with a golden belt he appeared outwardly, but his interior habit was a most rough hair-shirt. He persisted in prayers, in fastings, in receiving guests, the earthly homeland he inhabited as an exile, but the heavenly he loved as a homeland: this, I say, he used as an exile, to that he tended as a citizen. Moreover he himself meditated incessantly, how having left all the dignities of the world he might offer himself to fight for God alone in the cloisters of a monastery. But the King and all the Nobles strongly resisted him, saying that he ought rather to consult the utility of very many, than to satisfy his particular devotion. And so the man full of God, seeing himself bound equally by reason and by Royal authority (for he knew it was written, "Be subject to all higher Powers," and, "Render to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's") feigned for a time that his ardent mind had cooled from this intention. Rom. 13:1, Matt. 22:21 But of what kind he was within, the exterior action more evidently showed. He adhered moreover to those, persecutes heretics whom purity of faith and holiness of morals commended. But abhorring heretics, with grave hatred he persecuted them. For a certain assertor of grave dogma sent from Asia, who had infected the city of the Aedui with the pestiferous poison of his doctrine he detected, and refuted and expelled from the kingdom. The Simoniac stain also, which had polluted the bounds of the Arvernians and Bourgesians, and Simoniacs: and indeed of almost all Aquitaine, with the help of the King and the word of holy preaching he banished.

[4] Meanwhile ^e B. Archadius having died, the venerable Archbishop of the city of Bourges, is created Bishop of Bourges: S. Desideratus, by the favor, suffrage, election as much of the King as of the Princes, of the Clergy and people, is compelled to undertake the weight of the Pontificate. Which indeed undertaken, when in the first See of Aquitaine he had sat for some time, and on a grave cause having entered the bounds of the Spains, he had learned that the same region for [*] seven years had utterly lacked the dew of heaven and the dripping of rain; with prayer poured out to God, the opening of heaven and the abundant outpouring of showers from the Lord he obtained, with the greatest abundance of fruits, trees and things growing from the earth following. In which deed indeed he is found to have held the manner of S. Elijah the Prophet, of whom he was a sedulous imitator in many things: with whom praying heaven (which had been closed by the demands of men's sins so as not to rain for three years and six months) gave rain and earth its fruit. Finally this most holy Prelate, imitating not only the virginity of Elijah, but also the zeal against sinners, frequently rebuked Kings and Powerful men with the freest reproof. Him indeed no terrors of any one, no flatteries of any one could lead away from the path of rectitude.

[5] With the people of the Spains therefore confederated and magnificently strengthened in the faith, he heals a hand stuck to a mill: by word and miracle, when returning to his own See, through the diocese of Angers he was making his way; a certain poor man (whose hand the wood, with which against the precept of the Church he had presumed to turn the flour mill on the Lord's Day, so tightly clung, that in no way could it be torn away) falling at his feet, miserably confessing his misery and sin, asked that the servant of God would deign to have mercy on him. Without delay, when the holy Father bestowed on this man the gift of blessing, he healed his hand, and immediately granted it to serve its former custom: provided only that on Sundays and the solemn feasts of the Saints he would abstain from servile work, frequent the church, devote himself to prayer, hear the word of salvation, and from time to time deserve devoutly to receive holy communion.

[6] he heals a dying man sent to him by S. Eulalia: Not long after a certain man of not ignoble race glorious, abundantly rich, at Bourges was held by such adverse health, that already lifeless effect by many he was believed. Indeed as he himself afterwards related, placed in ecstasy he contemplated many punishments of hell: to whom at length appearing the holy Virgin Eulalia said, that if in the same place, in which he the sick lay, he would wish to construct a monastery of nuns; soon having received the blessing of the holy Patriarch Desideratus, not only would he be drawn out from the disease, but also his life would be prolonged from there to the twentieth year. He pledged therefore that whatever was asked he would willingly do: and so that vision disappearing from his eyes, returned to himself, with many and assiduous prayers having sought and obtained the blessing of his Pontiff, immediately he was freed from all disease. To this so great spectacle King Chlothar, and many others were present, admiring the omnipotence of God, and notably approving the friend of Christ B. Desideratus, they gave him the most ample testimony of perfect praise.

[7] Going to Rome he piously visits the holy places: These things being so, the venerable Father Desideratus disposed himself to set out for Rome the head of the world. Where when he had arrived, prostrating himself at the individual memorials of the holy Apostles and Martyrs, so he insisted on sedulous prayer, so by compunction of heart and contemplation of heavenly things he was utterly overcome, that wherever in prayer he had lain, with a river of tears he watered the pavement. By which truly it came about, that to him singing psalms at B. Peter's and saying this verse, "The Saints shall exult in glory," it was answered divinely, "They shall rejoice in their beds." But the prayers being completed for himself and for the peace of all the Church militant, divinely admonished he returns: to the sepulchers of the blessed Apostles; the venerable old man admonished by divine revelation, that he should return to his own See, having received the Relics of very many Saints, at length with prosperous journey he is restored to his city, with the King exceedingly exulting; and all the Nobles with the whole Clergy and people magnificently giving thanks to God, that their Pontiff and supreme Patriarch he had restored to them safe.

[8] he conciliates peace between the Pictavi and Andegavenses, Then indeed it was brought to him, that the Pictavi and Andegavenses, whom going into Italy he had left most well confederated, again with the devil instigating among themselves were dissenting with great contrariety; and both peoples were exercising hatreds and even contests against one another in hostile manner. likewise between the Saxons and Austrasians, Soon the pious Pastor burst into tears, sent sighs to the heavens; and having invoked God the author of peace, made himself arbiter of concord, tempered the strife, composed peace. At another time also the man of God hearing that the Saxons and Austrasians had both burst out into open angers and contumelies against each other, desiring also to conciliate peace among them, with many journeys with God leading he came thither. But when he was at Cologne, a certain man of the more noble race, indeed nourished in good morals, but of the benefit of right speech for now eleven years deprived, with very clement and benign affection looking upon him, with right hand extended he impressed the sign of the Cross on his head: he restores perfect speech to a citizen of Cologne: of which blessing's virtue, as he perceived, immediately he received the use of speaking.

[9] Thence indeed the best and most efficacious arbiter of peace, with the said provinces called back to the zeal of concord, when ^f making his way through Neustria, he had entered the city of Verdun; he frees an energumen at Verdun: behold to him, at the oratory of the holy Mother of God Mary humbly prostrating in prayers, was offered a woman, dreadfully vexed by a demon. Then he, who by his own nature was so pious and clement, that nothing was expected from him except inclined mercy; could not but compassionate the afflicted woman. What therefore? Prayer first sent forth, the head of the obsessed woman with consecrated hands he strongly bound, until with the enemy put to flight he sent her away utterly free and most well faring.

[10] is present at the Synod of Orleans: Meanwhile King Childebert ordered the Prelates of the Churches at the city of Orleans, on account of the fifth Synod to be celebrated there, to convene on the fifth Kalends of November ^g. … Where the holy ^h Patriarch Desideratus with the counsel of other ⁱ forty-four venerable Bishops, anathematized and condemned the wicked ^k sect of Eutyches and Nestorius. Among other things which also there were ordained, this article stands: [l] If anyone of the Provincial Bishops shall be summoned by his Metropolitan to a Council within his province, and except for evident infirmity shall have delayed to come to the Council, and from the Synodal convention, before they conclude on all things, without the consent of the Council itself perhaps shall have presumed to depart, just as also by the preceding rules has been established, for six months he shall be suspended from the office of Masses &c.

[11] At that time ^m Forbius, a haughty, arrogant, voluptuous man, held the Church of the Anicii, who now are called the Podiani. He, captured by the depraved cupidities of a certain beautiful woman, the Bishop of Anicium convicted of adultery was caught and convicted to have perpetrated with her the crime of adultery, than which no rumor of any vice smells more foul. Wherefore at the holy Patriarch Desideratus he was gravely accused. But the man of the Lord knowing how foul it is, that a man advanced to supreme and divine things should be basely a suppliant to a most filthy harlot; weeping most bitterly, lamented his ruin. Yet lest it should be turned to a fault for him, if so grave a delict in his Suffragan he should dissimulate to punish; the matter investigated by skillful inquiry, found and confessed, the same Forbius in this manner he abdicated from the Episcopate. Indeed his place to a certain beloved and faithful associate of his, named ⁿ Flavian, a man of great holiness, he deposes through Flavian his Vicar, on account of the impotence of advanced age he committed, that going to the city of Podium, he should cast down the said Forbius from the administration of Pastoral rule, as a man stained with much disgrace, and entirely unworthy of the honor of the Pontifical apex. Which when that man, most well instructed in every kind of virtues, brought to effect duly, now returning he closed his last day.

[12] Whose death heard the holy Father Desideratus saddened, and broken from the fatigue of so many journeys, near the entrance of his diocese with febrile disease he began to labor even to the desperation of physicians. And so lying in bed, having called together the Greater and Elders of his Episcopate, and this one dead also he himself dies. with salutary admonitions premised, with the Holy Spirit infused in himself, he predicted himself on the next Lord's Day to be about to render his holy soul to God. Which thus the event of the matter proved. For on that very day, which prophesying he designated to be his last, namely on the eighth Ides of May, in the ninth year of his Episcopate, illustrious for great virtues, he happily fell asleep in the Lord, his most holy spirit indeed rendering to God, but to the lands the precious treasure of his body leaving. ^o

ANNOTATIONS.

l. This is canon 18.

This is a glossary of the Author of the Patriarchium, that with the Acts of other Pontiffs it might agree. He flourished moreover as Bishop from the year 541 to the year 550, in which he died on a Sunday, 8 May. But that the said Author in assigning the time of the Sitting of the Bishops often very greatly errs, most well appears on day XXII May in the Acts of S. Aigulfus, to whom he attributes only one year and some months, when he sat XXVI years, and died for some time before, than he leads him to the Episcopate.

* I believe in months in Spain after long drought he obtains rain:

ON S. TARASIUS THE WONDER-WORKER

IN LYCAONIA.

Tarasius the Wonder-worker, in Lycaonia (S.)

G. H.

Various Saints, who flourished under the Patriarchate of Constantinople, are illustrated in the MS. Greek Synaxarium of the Church of Constantinople, which at Paris from the College of Clermont of the Society of Jesus we have on loan: and among these on this VIII day of May is S. Tarasius, of whom these few things are handed down: On the same day the memory of our Holy Father and Wonder-worker Tarasius, who flourished in Lycaonia. In the printed Menaea and in Maximus Bishop of the Cythereans on day IX March is mentioned S. Tarasius with bare name, whom we then thought perhaps was S. Tarasius Archbishop of Constantinople, of whom we have treated on XXV February, because of this Tarasius we had no notice: but now of this Wonder-worker we rather think it is treated there. Lycaonia is a region of Asia minor, whose Metropolis is Iconium, having under it nineteen other Episcopal cities, which after others Charles a S. Paulo enumerates in his Sacred Geography.