ON ST. DESIDERIUS THE BISHOP, AND VERY MANY OTHER MARTYRS, AT LANGRES IN GALLIC CHAMPAGNE.
ABOUT 264.
Previous Commentary.
Desiderius the Bishop, Martyr at Langres in Gaul (S.)
Many others, Martyrs at Langres in Gaul (SS.)
BY G. H.
§. I. Gaul devastated by Barbarians. Acts of S. Desiderius. Sacred cult.
In the year of the Christian Era two hundred and fifty four, Valerian and Gallienus his son obtained the Roman Empire: who stirred up a grievous persecution against the Christians. Of these Valerian in the year two hundred and fifty-nine was captured by the King of the Persians Sapor and, stripped of his skin, perished; but Gallienus in the year 268, with his brother Valerian, In the times of the Emperor Gallienus, was killed at Milan. Gallienus was lost in luxury and wickedness: in whose time on every side, both by barbarians and by tyrants (whom Trebellius Pollio reckons thirty by their names) the Roman Empire was lacerated; especially however Gaul, by the Vandals, Alemanni, and other peoples of Germany was miserably devastated and occupied, up to the times of the Emperor Probus, who reigned from the year 276, up to the year 282. He, with the witness of Flavius Vopiscus, with a huge army sought the Gauls, which all, with Postumius slain, had been disturbed, with Aurelian killed, were possessed by the Germans. Gaul was devastated, But such great battles he there happily waged, that throughout the Gauls he received seventy most noble cities. Which almost the same things Probus wrote to the Roman Senate. But the principal one, who had invaded the Gauls, was King Crocus, of whom Gregory of Tours in book 1 of the History of the Franks chapter 30, chiefly by King Crocus, with the persecution of Valerian and Gallienus indicated, adds these things: "In their time also that Crocus, King of the Alemanni, with his army stirred pervaded the Gauls. Under him many Bishops of Gaul slain merited the crown of martyrdom: of whom Gregory chapter 32, brings forth S. Privatus, Bishop of the city of Gabali: under whom were killed S. Privatus Bishop of Gabali, whose illustrious Acts we have from various Manuscripts to be given on the 21st day of August. There it is said, that suddenly almost all the barbarian nations, with united intention, burst forth, so that devastating East and West they laid all things low, slaughtered peoples; and with every region depopulated and emptied, they left solitudes, horrible with wasteness. Of which the Alemanni then with the Rhine crossed sought the Gauls, by number even more than by valor strong: over whom Crocus the King at that time presided, antiquity confirms. This people therefore, innumerable in multitude, in the manner of locusts, having pervaded the Gauls, terrified or destroyed all, which also the ruins of great cities attest." Thus far those Acts, which also in other ancient Manuscripts of the same S. Privatus, are thus indicated: "Then the Alemanni with their King, by name Crochus, with the Rhine crossed, sought the Gauls." Surius edited the same Acts, but with a polished style, and calls the King Storco, but in the margin warns that "Crocus" should be read. They suffered under the same King Crocus among the Arverni SS. Antholianus and Liminæus, SS. Antholianus and Liminæus, also remembered by Gregory of Tours. The Acts of the former we gave on February 6, of the other on March 29.
[2] Under this same Crocus the Lingones were subdued, and their city, anciently Andomatunum, occupied, even now ample and fortified, in the Bassiniacus countryside ascribed to Champagne of Gaul, situated at the sources of the river Marne, about six leagues from the borders of the Duchy and County of Burgundy, and S. Desiderius Bishop of Langres. of which city the Bishops are Dukes and Peers of France. Of these Lingones the Bishop S. Desiderius, under the same King Crocus crowned with martyrdom, on this day May 23, every year is venerated with solemn veneration. The Acts of his martyrdom, hitherto unedited, we give from various ancient Manuscript codices, namely the Trier of the monastery of S. Maximinus, Acts of martyrdom are given from Manuscripts. the Aroasian of the Canons Regular monastery in Artois, the Beauvais once sent by Petrus Lovetus, another of Christina Queen of Sweden marked number 81, and finally another from our distinguished Legendarium, which from this month of May up to the end of December we will often allege. The Author of these Acts seems to be very ancient, and by Warnaharius polished with a better style. We gave on January 17 the Acts of the Holy Triplets Speusippus, Eleusippus and Meleusippus, also polished by the same Warnaharius, who in the Prologue to S. Ceraunus Bishop of Paris (whose sacred day is September 23) says, that he had recognized "the Deeds of the Holy Twins, polished by Warnaharius: who in the suburb of the Lingonic city obtained the precious consummation of martyrdom, or of the Most Blessed Desiderius the Martyr and Bishop of that city, just as the zeal of devotion had commanded, so most desiringly by the zeal of service." Thus Warnaharius, who establishes Crocus, not as King of the Alemanni, as others reported, but of the Vandals: but otherwise he treats of the same Crocus, and describes his death among the Arelatensians. Following Aimoinus, in book 3 of the History of the Franks chapter 1, from the writings of the ancients inserts, how Crocus with the people of the Vandals, with the Suevi and Alans also joined, attempting to storm Arles, by a certain soldier, Marius by name, was captured and led through the cities which he had overthrown, tortured by penalties he perished. Perhaps that Marius was the seventh numbered among the thirty Tyrants, who is said by Trebellius Pollio to be a strenuous man, and elevated by military degrees up to the Empire. But these things have been said in more detail on February 6 at the Life of S. Antholianus the Martyr.
[3] The sacred memory is inscribed in the ancient Martyrologies, and with this elogium in Usuard: memory in the sacred Fasti, "At Langres the passion of S. Desiderius the Bishop. He, when he saw his people vexed by the army of the Vandals, going out to supplicate for it, was at once ordered to be beheaded: who for the sheep entrusted to him willingly extended his neck, and struck by the sword passed to Christ. There suffered with him also several others from the number of his flock, and at the same city were buried." Thus there, which plainly the same things are read in the Roman Martyrology and at Ado: who concerning the Burial of S. Desiderius adds these things: "There is buried the blessed Martyr in a basilica next to the walls of the city, which the faithful people committed to him by Christ, burial, by the special love of him and pious devotion, took care to be made for protection." Claudius Robertus the Lingonian, in Gallia Christiana and the Bishops of Langres, says: "Desiderius was buried in a Church, within the walls of the city, called now from his name, church, and decorated with the title of Priory, which before stood under the patronage of S. Magdalene: where also the body of the Bishop himself was elevated on January 19 by William Bishop the 70th, which was done in the year 1314. feast, But on May 23 his solemn feast is performed in the diocese, by the precept of Guido Bishop the 85th, who died in the year 1480. In the Breviary of Langres printed about the year 1604 there is prescribed of S. Desiderius the Bishop and his Companions Martyrs the Ecclesiastical office under double rite, and nine Lessons are taken from the Acts to be given below. Other lessons are recited about the Elevation of the body, also to be given below.
§. II. The time of martyrdom variously assigned by various authors. Cult at Genoa and neighboring places.
[4] James Vignerius, Priest of the Society of Jesus, prepared for the press a Chronicle of Langres, of which he edited some compendium in the year 1665, in which on page 13 he writes these things: "The thousandth year of the city of Rome, the fourth of the Caesars Philippi, The time of the See of S. Desiderius, of Christ 249, was, in which the secular Games were celebrated, and at almost the same time other more sacred ones at Langres, namely from the beginnings or birth of the new Pontiff. This Desiderius, sought by the vows of all, since destined by God, stood forth; under whose Bishopric the Christian cause flourished, and took very much increase. For we do not assent to Sigebert and others, placing his slaughter under the Vandalic invasion of the year 407 or 408; or even (as they themselves wish) of the year 410. from the opinion of Vignerius, We conclude from this that he lived most holily in the peaceful times of the Philippi, and (after the Decii) of Gallus, Volusianus, and Valerian, that with Valerian, after the unfortunate battle or by fraud captured, and Gallienus the son recently reigning, namely in the year of Salvation 264, Crocus, or Croscus, by others also called Carocus, killed about the year 264. surrounded by a great band of Suevi, Vandals, Alemanni, penetrated into the Gauls, and besieged the citadel of the Lingones, Andomatunum. Desiderius, the most vigilant Pastor, did not hesitate to approach the barbarian Prince, to supplicate for the flock entrusted to him. And while to the raging man divine vengeance he threatened, he was at once ordered to be slaughtered and beheaded: which he is said to have caught with both hands. and to have carried it into the basilica of B. Magdalene founded by him: which restored after many ages; and consecrated to his tomb and name, even now endures." Thus Vignerius. But of the head caught with both hands and carried, there is no mention in the ancient authorities. But the handle of such a fame or fable was seized in various Saints beheaded, because their statues were accustomed to be depicted with the head before the breast, by which only it was indicated, that they had undergone martyrdom by beheading.
[5] Sigebert in his Chronicle for the year 411 writes these things: "The Vandals with their leader Croscus pervaded the Gauls, in the Chronicle of Sigebert year 411, many cities and Churches they overthrew. Croscus at last by Marianus Prefect of Arles was captured, and through the conquered cities ignominiously dragged back, was tormented to death. Under this whirlwind among many were martyred, the Sedunensian Florentinus and Hilarius, Desiderius of Langres with Vincent the Archdeacon, Antidius Bishop of Besançon." Thus there. SS. Florentinus and Hilarius are venerated on September 27, and they are said in the Manuscript Acts to have suffered under King Croscus, and the people of the Vandals barbarously devastating Gaul, with no mention made of later times. But the Acts of S. Antidius Bishop of Besançon, edited by Chiffletius in part 2 of Vesontio, will in their time on June 17 or 25 be given and examined, because in them very many things seem perversely heaped together, and among others about S. Desiderius these things are read: "Whence it came to pass, that B. Desiderius, Bishop of Langres, a verdant and fruitful branch of the vine of the Lord, because he refused to obey their brutish prestiges, namely to sacrifice to most vain divinities, they stripped his neck inwardly with the stroke of the sword. The memorable also Valerius, the disciple of the same eminent Doctor, whom he had chosen for the office of Archdeacon, twisted with manifold tortures, they rendered a companion of the recruits of the heavenly army." Thus there. S. Valerius the Archdeacon, wrongly called Vincent by Sigebert, is joined by Vignerius to S. Desiderius, as also having suffered under Crocus in the third Christian century, of whom it must be treated on October 22. But Crocus or Croscus (as the cited Acts of S. Antidius have it) when he came to Arles, now destitute of a major army, captured by Marius the Prefect, bound in chains, through the many cities he had laid waste led back to reproach, and to the conquered a victor presented to be avenged of injuries, after the torments of many tortures finished his impious life with a wretched death. Thus there, which the same things about the death of Crocus are had in the Acts of S. Desiderius, and at Gregory of Tours, by whom these things are said to have been done in the time of the Emperor Gallienus.
[7] The aforementioned James Vignerius raises another argument for himself, treating of the sons of Constantine the Great, and hands down these things: "Before these years namely 345 or 346 a national Council was held at Cologne Agrippina: Whether S. Desiderius was at the Agrippinensian Council in the year 346, at which one is read to have been present, who could not at all have been present, Desiderius Bishop of Langres, whether he, according to Sigebert, afterward in the year 410 fell by the sword of the Vandals, or far before, as we attest, perished. So we certainly determine that Urbanus ought to have been written, and there was an error in his appellation, just as in many of the Bishops of Besançon, Reims, Metz, Verdun, and certain Churches' nomenclature, as Baronius, Sirmondus, and others have observed." Thus Vignerius. or S. Urbanus, Urbanus Bishop of Langres is venerated on January 23, of whose age, neither in his Life there edited, nor in the Breviary of Langres is anything signified. But suppose he was not present at the said Cologne Council, and lived later: why might not some Desiderius, or Desiderius the 2nd, the second of that name have been present, so called in honor of S. Desiderius the Martyr?
[8] Sacred cult at Genoa, The proper Offices of the Genoese Church, by command of Stephen Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church, Archbishop Duratius of Genoa, edited in the year 1640, in the Calendar prefixed to this May 23, prescribe that, of S. Desiderius of Genoa, Bishop and Martyr under double rite. Philip Ferrarius for this cause inscribed him in the Catalogue of the Saints of Italy, and from monuments of the Church of Genoa writes these things about his earlier life and election to the Episcopate on this May 23. "Desiderius, a Genoese by country and a farmer, a simple man and fearing God, where it is handed down he was born, worked the earth with the plough at the village of Bavari; when the Lingones going to Rome to demand a Bishop, named Desiderius (for they had been admonished by an Angel, that they should choose as Bishop of their city him whose staff fixed in the earth would germinate) it happened to them to pass through there, where Desiderius was: and thence miraculously summoned to the Episcopate. who, asking him the way, when they understood that his name was Desiderius; and that his staff fixed in the earth, until he gave answer about the way, they immediately saw flowering, him, although unlettered, they had consecrated as Bishop. Who divinely instructed, while discharging the Pastoral office brilliantly, the Vandals rushing into Gaul besieged the Lingones, and the city captured they seize the holy Bishop … and to Croscus the Duke they lead him, who … ordered him to be beheaded." Thus there. Augustine Calcagninus, Penitentiary Canon of the Metropolitan Church of Genoa, edited in the year 1655 the Sacra palma Genuensis; and in it in the first place at length deduces in Italian the Life of the holy Genoese Martyr Desiderius, Italian Life, Bishop of Langres, and then in Latin subjoins a brief excursus of the Deeds of Saint Desiderius, Bishop of Langres, with a hymn about him and Prose, according to the style of the Churches of Langres: which there can be read. In the said Italian Life it is said that the Village of Bavari is distant from the city of Genoa five thousand paces. Finally is subjoined a long document of the donation of the sacred Relic of S. Desiderius and of the translation to Genoa, Relics there. which we also omit, and only give a Summary of it incised on a marble stone in these words:
[9] "Of Saint Desiderius the Genoese, Bishop of the Lingones and Martyr, the vertebra, which among the sacred relics of this Metropolitan Church is venerated, Summary of the translation, was a treasure of the Kings and the Kingdom of Gaul. Louis XIV, to Joannetinus Justinianus Patrician of Genoa, who had deserved excellently of him and of his father Louis, reckoning it little to have conferred the dignity of Marquis, in order to add this part of his truly Royal heart, wished it to be obtained from the same, to be given as a gift to the Most Eminent and Most Reverend Stephen Cardinal Duratius Archbishop of Genoa and to the Most Reverend Chapter and Canons. Who mindful of the benefit, to the most religious citizen vowed an annual and perpetual sacrifice, as in the acts of John Baptist Badaracus the Notary on July 3, 1654." Thus there. Of Desiderius this Bishop, as Ferrarius notes above, the memory in many cities of Italy is famous, feast at Castelnuovo. especially at Genoa and Tortona: in whose diocese is Castelnuovo, a very ample town and not at all obscure, of which this holy Bishop is the Patron. The Castel-novo people narrate a plainly wondrous thing, that their territory, which before was filled with ferns, from the day on which they vowed, ceasing from labors, to celebrate the festivity of S. Desiderius, has been entirely without them, while however in the neighboring regions they are seen. Masinus in his survey of Bologna hands down, that some of his Relics are kept in the Church of S. Gabriel near the Ravegnan gate. Relics at Bologna. His feast is also celebrated with Ecclesiastical office in the Church and diocese of Milan.
[10] Among the proper Offices of the Saints of the Church of Arles, printed in the year 1656, is prescribed the cult of S. Desiderius under double rite, and at the end of the 6th Lesson these things are added: "In the cemetery of S. Honoratus at Arles there was once an oratory, dedicated to this glorious Martyr, in which his relics rested, which afterwards were placed in the building of S. Trophimus." Furthermore at Avignon D. Bertrandus de Deucius, Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church Archbishop of Embrun, built and dedicated a great church under the invocation of S. Desiderius, and adorned it with a notable Chapter of Canons, with a dowry also added for Music. But they a few years ago, says D. Richard Joseph de Cambis, Lord of Fargues, in his memoirs sent to us after the year 1674, supplicated the Chapter of Langres for obtaining some notable relic of the now common Patron, and obtained the first vertebra of the neck, as a part of that member in which the Saint had suffered: which placed in the building of S. Nicholas over the Avignon bridge, with the greatest solemnity was then translated to the aforesaid Collegiate; and from there every year is processionally carried around on his proper feast, when his Office is held under double rite. Nor only is the Saint venerated there; but also in the church of the College of the Society of Jesus, on account of various of his Relics, there placed in the high altar by D. Dominic de Marinis Archbishop of Avignon, when he consecrated that church on May 9.
[11] The Elwangen monastery in Swabia, built by Heriolphus Bishop of Langres, also took up the cult of S. Desiderius of Langres, at Arles, at Avignon, with Commemoration of him in Lauds and private Masses, on account of the veneration of the translation of the bodies of SS. Sulpitius and Servilianus, as we said on their natal day April 20. There is also at Elwangen some tradition, as if S. Desiderius had baptized the Holy Triplet Martyrs Speusippus, Eleusippus, and Melasippus, whose Relics are also kept there, as we said at their Acts on January 17, Cult at Elwangen in Swabia, where also they are said to have been baptized by S. Benignus the Presbyter and Martyr. About the time of the coming and martyrdom of him we have said some things on May 1 at the Life of S. Andeolus the Subdeacon and Martyr, the rest will have to be said at the Kalends of November his natal day. At Cologne also there was a church, which is now called of B. Mary at the Indulgences, once of S. Desiderius in Vallo, writes in the Cologne Fasti Gelenius. That S. Desiderius has remained in highest veneration among the Lingones is indicated by very many parishes, which are noted under his name in the Register of benefices of the said diocese, Various parishes named after S. Desiderius of which are in the Deanery of S. Sequanus the parish of S. Desiderius of Charenceio, in the deanery of Bèze S. Desiderii and Antreino, in the Châtillonais on the Seine S. Desiderius of Mont-lior and of Laine, in the Bar on the Aube S. Desiderius of Lepon, of Monsan, and twofold of Corisiere, in the Vinemerensian S. Desiderius of Chellajo. To omit other places; famous also is among the Lotharingians the Sanctuary of S. Desiderius, a noble town, like another equally famous in lower Champagne.
ACTS OF MARTYRDOM,
Polished by Warnaharius, From 5 Manuscript codices and the Breviary of Langres.
Desiderius Bishop, Martyr at Langres in Gaul (S.)
Many others, Martyrs at Langres in Gaul (SS.) BHL Number: 2145
BY WARNAHARIUS FROM MANUSCRIPTS.
PROLOGUE.
How great a are the virtues in the elect and predestined Priests of God almighty; the praises of the most blessed Desiderius the Martyr, and Pontiff of the Lingonic city, The author excuses his thinness. whose festivities of solemn custom we celebrate by the renewed circle of years, manifest: whose deeds, although the unskilled rusticity of the place is not able to publish in order; he himself nevertheless by his bright virtues with God assisting does not cease to manifest himself. b For innumerable are the things of goodness of his virtues, the insignia, yet few c in speaking our thinness of eloquence as is fitting can pluck. d For the more the aforesaid Martyr is made glorious by divine gift, the more the speaker appears e tedious through ignorance in narrating his virtues.
NOTES.
CHAPTER I.
The invasion of the Vandals. The martyrdom of S. Desiderius and his Companions.
[2] At that time, when the barbarian and Gentile ferocity of the Vandals had come to ravage the provinces of Gaul; In the invasion of the Vandals and with the Gauls conquered and overcome, it greatly devastated also the cities of Gaul by warlike infestation, and most cruelly depopulated all things in the rapine of plunder by the instinct of cupidity; the will of God, the outcome also of the matter and of the journey, led that nefarious people itself with their King a Croscus to the city of Langres itself. Then truly the most blessed Desiderius in that city was discharging the Pontifical office, a Priest most outstanding in virtues. And although b with a mountain set opposite on the height there is a strong fortification by natural exposure for the most part, the Lingonic city, and the joining of squared stones diligently added makes the walls of that city itself more secure; yet to prove the faith of the aforesaid Bishop, and of those who, remaining in the holy confession of Christ, are known to have obtained the glorious martyrdom with the same; the multitude of the Vandals poured around surrounded the city on every side, and in the siege of perdition the city is encompassed from all parts. it is fiercely attacked, Without delay with missiles, slings, arrows, and various weapons, the Vandals attacking more sharply, with insistence of cruelty pressed on, to overthrow the walls. On the other hand the most blessed Pontiff Desiderius, with his Priests, or the rest of the citizens, with S. Desiderius vainly imploring; from the wall cried out, saying: "We are servants of Christ, we worship Christ our Lord the living and true God, who established the whole world. Do not commit a cruel crime upon us, by which you may provoke the power of God to wrath against you."
[3] But since by the predestination of God, the predetermined day of martyrdom had come; terror and fear at once invaded all the citizens, and they tried no longer with any boldness of valor to defend themselves, and he is intercepted. but driven back inside the walls fleeing, where each should go was unknown. But the Vandals rushing in with headlong course, with the gates broken, entered the walls. But others with ladders set against the walls rushing from a different part, sent fires into the c pergama (citadels); with swords, and various javelins they laid low all the citizens with impious slaughter: their age profited none, impiety spared no sex or age: babes hanging at the breast with their mothers, impious cruelty butchered: one groan and lament of the dying resounded through the whole walls.
[4] Finally the most blessed Bishop Desiderius is found placed in prayer, S. Desiderius is led to the King and is presented to the gaze of the King with the rest of the Christian worshippers. He, by the Pastoral solicitude filled with grief at the destruction of his citizens, would not ask the Prince for himself; but more attentively prayed that he should aid his perishing citizens, saying: "If you are pious, now spare, best ruler, I beseech, the wretched citizens, and that you may humbly restrain the hostile hands of your men from such great slaughter of cruelty I altogether implore." To this the barbarian Prince, harsh, with the asperity of natural cruelty hard, swollen with the outcome of victory, in barbaric speech replied to this holy Desiderius with a contemptuous answer, which the blessed Bishop was unable to understand by any capacity of intelligence. And so what the Priest of God had previously begged the most cruel King ignored. He vainly offers himself as a victim for others: He offered himself also for his citizens, the pious Pastor with neck prepared as a victim, that the ruin upon the perishing citizens might cease at least somewhat. The impious ruler was moved by no piety: but inflamed by the perseverance of cruelty, he ordered the head of the Priest to be cut off: he commanded also several Christians d at the same hour and by the same sentence to perish. killed with them For throughout the whole pergama (citadels) those persevering in the confession of Christ, on the same day were laid low everywhere by various slaughter. Whoever, asked about the cult of religion, said he confessed to believe in Christ, in nowhere in the whole city could escape. O city of Langres, why now suddenly remaining desolate, do you groan over your citizens? You have on this account more by which to exult, with great glory of the Lingones. while you have acquired so many at the same time as Martyrs for your protection. Reckon nothing of temporal loss in your estimation e which you should mourn; while without limit of price, thence you now have and shall have gains without end remaining wherein to rejoice f. You were saddened then by fires, swords, plunders, with every example of humility into ash reduced; whence now you are adorned, illustrated with strength, and fortified with the suffrage of protection, thence you are and remain in perpetuity glorious beyond other cities.
NOTES.
CHAPTER II.
The Striker and the King are punished. The miracles and memory of S. Desiderius.
[5] So renowned was the beginning of the blessedness of the Martyr Desiderius, The slayer of the saint perishes and the special grace of perfect love in the pouring out of his blood, by sudden indications upon his persecutors divine piety made plain. His striker at once, condemned by the sense of madness, by the fury of impatience seized; through the walls with horrible voices crying out, with rapid course pushed his head into the gate of the city; and emptied of brain by frequent striking, lifeless there is contemplated by his frightened companions. These things heard, fear and trembling penetrated the minds of all the enemies astonished, and for a little while they ceased from shedding blood. Finally not after much time God the just judge, by the avenging of his holy Desiderius the Martyr, or of the rest of the Martyrs of that city, convicted, in b the city of Arles handed over Croscus the Prince to his enemies. Who captured and chained, and King Crocus at Arles for so long was afflicted with various torments for a long time, until through most cruel and assiduous slaughter he came to the destruction of death according to his merit.
[6] But the most blessed Desiderius the Pontiff, on account of his preceding conversation and zeal of good work, merited the worthy crown of martyrdom, because he was first found just and proven. Whose beginning of life was chastity, sobriety, the largess of alms, mercy on the poor, piety, probity of morals, equanimity of patience, and so acceptable to God was he found in all things, Adorned with every kind of virtue, that to the kingdoms of heaven, with the joined militia of many martyrs, by his acquisition with greatest blessedness he came. In his own city the holy Pontiff was specially enriched with the gift of martyrdom, in the same city also for the benefits of salvations with the rest of the Martyrs he was buried with due veneration. In time past, how much he was honored and beloved by his citizens, the place of his burial seems to declare by manifest indications, so much that within the walls the love of the people poured out received the body of the Priest for burial, he is worthily buried by his own. whom on account of the mildness of goodness and constancy of sanctity it sufficiently loved while alive. For if anyone shall come sick to his thresholds, thence with God assisting he returns strengthened; he shines with miracles: if terrified by sorrow, by the patronage of the holy Martyr he immediately returns from there cheered; if blind, lame, deaf, mute, vexed by the adverse part if he comes, each one there obtains his own medicine and pristine remedies without delay opportune.
[7] Among the other multiple insignia of his virtues, the Martyr in his name does not allow perfidy to be borne unpunished. Those swearing falsely upon his altar, or his name are punished. For if anyone within the precincts of his church, with the name of Christ invoked, upon his holy altar, with the device of falsity, mendacious shall attempt to commit an oath, c by divine vengeance is at once condemned by the sentence of perdition; faith through the faithful Martyr is preserved. No one there, with divine grace assisting, presumes in fallacious oaths to invoke or to mention the name of the Martyr. O Martyr to be preferred in blessedness, who has so much obtained with God, that he can show after death, that he hates iniquity, and loves truth; detests perjury, condemns falsehood. The pious Pastor exhorts, having care after death of his sheep, the good citizens, that they may keep the integrity of the faith for the salvation of their souls altogether without stain. He detests the malignant, emulates perfidy, gives the example of perdition more specially that they may amend.
[8] You have at last illustrious Priests, Primates, and all the people of the Lingonic populace, of the renowned Martyr, to whom is joined the troop of the rest of the Martyrs, within the outstanding protection of the city, and the principal guardianship of the city from him; without however from the three Twin brothers d Martyrs the singular protection of the city set forth, and the greatest adornment of divine remuneration of the city. Truly there remains enough in praise of this holy Desiderius the Martyr to be said more about his virtues, but a greater prolixity of speech generates tedium for the hearer. For to confirm the truth of the renowned Martyr's witness, the gate, where the striker for the crime he had committed, guilty, by the impulse of his head destroyed himself, The gate where the lictor perished was thereafter shut. from the same time provided no service of entry to travelers, nor opened the customary entrance for going out from the city further to the peoples: but blocked with stones, for indications of offense, condemned rather perseveres. Finally when the swordsman of the Priest cut down the sacred body itself, e into the divine book the fervent stroke proceeded, opened. Where it pierced many leaves indeed, yet by divine f preservation of the letters the path the effusion of blood did not touch. The bruise in the book a certain indication of the blessed Martyr's passion makes plain, and in nothing disturbs the order of the writing for those reading. In each the truth of the witness living, both is shown to the present people, and is preserved by the ordination of God for those to come always to behold; while to iron, the edge of its own sharpness, to amplify the blessedness of this Martyr, or to pierce the leaves of a book, was permitted, but the divine words, there in the monuments of letters inserted, to violate, on account of the glory of his Martyr, the omnipotence of God did not permit; with our Lord Jesus Christ reigning, to whom is honor and glory, virtue and power, forever and ever. Amen.
NOTES.
HISTORY OF THE TRANSLATION
From the Breviary of Langres.
Desiderius Bishop, Martyr at Langres in Gaul (S.)
Many others, Martyrs at Langres in Gaul (SS.) BHL Number: 2146
[1] After the courses of many years, the venerable Guido de Menenlis, Silver and gilded chests formerly Prior of the church of the blessed Martyr Desiderius, caused a silver and gilded chest to be made by wondrous workmanship for placing the body of the glorious Martyr: which completed, he entered the way of all flesh. Then William of Duro-fortis Bishop of Langres, who was afterwards Archbishop of Rouen, together with Stephen de Noëris the Religious, for placing the body, who then was governing the Priory of B. Desiderius, began anxiously to turn over in his mind, in what manner they could magnify or elevate the holy body. Hoping in the Lord, with the neighboring Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Religious and Priests called, with an innumerable multitude of Clergy and people, for the solemnity of so great a mystery, by their mature deliberation, the day of the elevation was assigned, namely in the year of the Lord one thousand three hundred fourteen, on the fifteenth of the Kalends of February. Therefore with the venerable Bishop William, the Prior, and the rest of the Religious and Priests descending, in the year 1314, January 19, found into the place where the body of the blessed Martyr had been buried, they found his stone tomb raised from the earth above, closed with lead and iron, and firmly sealed. The tomb finally being opened, such a fragrance of odor emanated from his body all around, that it seemed to those standing about, that the church was full of balms and aromatics. with this inscription. So they found the body of the blessed Martyr, with certain very authentic and sealed letters, lacking all corruption, bearing witness of truth to the most holy life and martyrdom of the kindly Desiderius. The tenor of the said letters was: "This pious Pastor and just Ruler, the distinguished Martyr of Christ Desiderius, was the vessel of virtues in his life, and the origin of all sanctity."
[2] These things seen, the precious body, pure and whole, decorated with Pontifical ornaments, holding his own head upon his breast in his hands, elevated with great rejoicing, by the deputies was raised from the tomb, and shown to all those standing about. How great then were the jubilations, how great praises through the whole city day and night resounded, the tongue does not suffice to narrate. and deposited at his altar. At length with the divine services and prayers performed, the body of the blessed Martyr was honorably deposited in the aforesaid silver chest, adorned with various stones, before the Lord's altar of the Church, dedicated in his honor.
[3] His right arm, one rib with chin and two jaws, Some relics were carried to the church of S. Mammes. in the church of B. Mammes were borne by the said Bishop, and in silver were honorably stored. On the same day finally God did such great miracles by the merits of the blessed Martyr, that scarcely could anyone enumerate them, to his praise, who lives and reigns forever. Amen.