St. Desiderius, Bishop of Langres Martyr

ST. DESIDERIUS, BISHOP OF LANGRES, MARTYR.

Feast: May 23

The good shepherd is always ready, in imitation of his divine model, to lay down his life for his sheep. Such this holy pastor approved himself. When certain pagan barbarians ravaged that part of Gaul, St. Desiderius, accompanied with his clergy, went out to meet them; but was massacred with his followers, and fell a victim to save his flock. Sigebert says this happened in the invasion of Chrocus, the German king, under Gallien; but Tillemont thinks it rather ought to be placed in 411, when the Alans, Sueves, and Vandals plundered that country. See Tillemont, t. 11, p. 540; Gall. Christ. Nov. t. 4, p. 510.

(Taken from Vol. V of "The Lives or the Fathers, Martyrs and Other Principal Saints" by the Rev. Alban Butler, the 1864 edition published by D. & J. Sadlier, & Company)