SAINT MAXENTIA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR - 24 OCTOBER

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN OCTOBER 

Saints celebrated on the 24th of October

SAINT MAXENTIA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR

Saint Maxentia, commonly called Maixence and Messence, a scion of the kings of Scotland, died for Jesus near Beauvais (Bellovacum.)  

During the riots, wars and rebellions, which raged in her fatherland at the end of the sixth century, she too, like so many others of her people, sought a quiet place on the European mainland and settled at a lonely spot (near the Oise, where today's Pont Maxence is located), with the intention of serving God alone.

A maid named Rosebia was with our Saint. (According to the Elenchus* -in the entry on October 15 - a servant called Barbatius accompanied her as well.)

But even here she did not find the desired peace and security. A noble Scotsman, a suitor of hers whose proposal of marriage Maxentia had rejected years ago, followed her and murdered her along with her maid. Her feast in England and Ireland is on October 24, in some places on April 16, in Scotland on November 20. On that day she is honoured also in the region of Beauvais. (But., Mg.)

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 4, Augsburg, 1875)

*A hagiography source used by the authors 

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Maxentia may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.