Saint Maxentius was a 5th-century monk and abbot born in Agde as Adjutor. Seeking a life of obscurity to avoid public attention, he twice fled his home, eventually settling in a monastery near Poitiers where he adopted a new name. He served as the leader of this monastic community around the year 500 before retiring to live as a hermit in his later years. He is remembered as a figure of significant spiritual authority in the region of modern-day France.
Life and works
After studying under Abbot Severus, Maxentius joined his local abbey. To avoid the prominence he felt coming his way, he initially hid for two years, later moving permanently to the Poitiers area. As abbot, he reportedly protected his monastery by confronting soldiers, during which one man's arm was allegedly paralyzed until Maxentius used holy oil. He died in June 515 and was interred at his former abbey.
Veneration
The saint is commemorated annually on June 26. His legacy includes an abbey that bears his name, Saint-Maixent-l'École, where he is buried. Additionally, a church in Bradshaw is dedicated to him, located near a historic tower that remains from an earlier religious structure.