A process for the desulfurization, and reactivation of a sulfur deactivated catalyst constituted of cobalt composited with a titania support. The sulfur deactivated cobalt titania catalyst is first contacted with a gaseous stream of molecular oxygen at temperature sufficiently high to oxidize the sulfur component of the catalyst. The sulfur oxidized catalyst is next contacted with a liquid, preferably water, to remove the oxide, or oxides of the sulfur. The catalyst is then contacted with a reducing agent, suitably hydrogen, to restore the activity of the catalyst. During the treatment there is no substantial loss, if any, of cobalt from the catalyst.