Bishop, (+c. 623) [Aug 4]
Born in Rome, Bohaire migrated from his native city to Chartres, France, in his youth. As Bohaire’s holiness and learning became known, he sought to escape attention by retiring into a hermitage. The bishop of Chartres, Pappole, provided him with a cell along the banks of the Cisse River. Nearby Bohaire erected a chapel, where, having been ordained a priest, he would have celebrated Mass. But his solitude did not last. The Frankish King Clotaire II Demanded to have Bohaire as his chaplain. Following the death of Pappole, Bohaire was compelled to accept consecration as bishop of Chartres. When the city was ravaged by the army of King Thierry of Burgundy, Bohaire stood by his people, ransoming with his won possessions those taken captive by the invaders. Upon being brought before Thierry in chains, Bohaire offered his life in exchange for the deliverance of his flock. Bohaire’s selfless courage moved Thierry remorsefully to throw himself down before the bishop, promising to end his attack. Others of the king’s retinue came forward to beg for Bohaire’s prayers. Thus peace was restored to Chartres.  --  James Monti

Priest and Martyr (C. 1830-1859) [Feb 13]
Father Paul Loc Van Le, of An Nhon, Vietnam, a former soldier and newly ordained alumnus of a seminary in Penang, Malaysia, was arrested by pagan officials of Vietnam’s imperial regime on December 13, 1858. A French attack upon the country at this time was used by the pagan authorities as a pretext to intensify the persecution against Catholics. Consequently, Father Co Van Le was sentenced to death and beheaded. Following his death, the Catholic faithful retrieved his body and reverently clothed and buried it.  --  James Monti