Desideratus

Who was Desideratus?

Desideratus was a French saint in the Christian church from Soissons. Unusually, he came from a family of saints, as his father, Auginus, mother, Agia, and brother, Deodatus, were all canonized. The parents taught the two boys to care for the poor and to give away all of their material possessions to aid others.

Desideratus worked as a secretary for King Clotaire and sought to eliminate simony and heresy in Clotaire's lands. According to legend, Desideratus wanted to retire to a monastery but served Clotaire in order to put the needs of others ahead of himself. He was made Bishop of Bourges in 541 and served until his death.

At the fifth Council of Orleans and second Council of Auvergne, he combated Nestorianism. He died on May 8, 550. May 8 is his feast day in the west.