Maxentius of Agde

Holy Venerable Maxentius of Agde (also called Maxentius of Poitou, in French Maixent) was born at Agde, in Gaul, about 445, with the name Adjutor, was a monk and abbot, and died in June 515. His commemoration is on 26 June.

Adjutor attended the monastery school of the district, where he was greatly influenced by the abbot Severus, and became a monk in that monastery. According to Alban Butler, praise was even more distasteful to him than detraction, and to escape the prominence into which he was being pushed, he quietly slipped away from Agde and remained in hiding for two years. But when at the end of that time he returned home, he found himself in a position of even greater publicity. He then left his native Narbonensis for good, to lead a life of obscurity. The Russian source says that, learning of Saint Hilary, he came from Languedoc to Poitiers and entered the monastery of Saint Agapitus.

He joined a monastery near Poitiers and took the name Maxentius. About 500 he was elected abbot, succeeding Abbot Agapitus. In old age he retired from the office of abbot and became a hermit. The abbey was later named after him: Saint-⁠Maixent-⁠l'École.

Several miracles are credited to him. His return to Agde after his first absence coincided with a break in the weather, which relieved the drought-⁠stricken countryside. During his time as abbot he confronted a band of soldiers who were threatening the monastery. One of them raised his arm to strike Maxentius but found himself unable to do so. The arm remained frozen until Maxentius anointed it with holy oil. He died in June 515 and was buried in the abbey church of Saint-⁠Maixent-⁠l'École. The church of Saint Maxentius at Bradshaw, in England, is dedicated to him.