Magnentia

Who they were

Little is known for certain of the two virgins Magnentia (Magnanzia) and Maxima, drawn from an anonymous 'Life' and from the 'Miracula sancti Germani' of Heiric of Auxerre. Heiric recounts that Saint Germanus of Auxerre died at the imperial court in Ravenna in 448, and that his body was carried back to Gaul accompanied by five virgins, probably Italian, who had become his disciples: Magnentia, Palladia, Camilla, Portia and Maxima. The first three died during the long journey, and churches were later built over their graves; by the 10th century crowds of pilgrims visited them all year round.

According to the legend, Magnentia was born at Civitavecchia; the 'Life' dwells especially on how her tomb was found, and on a dream in which she and Maxima appeared to a sleeping pilgrim to protect him from a snake. Devotion to her spread with the help of the monks of Moutiers-Saint-Jean. Her tomb, carved with scenes from the legend, survives from the 12th century, and her relics escaped destruction by Calvinists and during the French Revolution.

The miracles

There was never a formal cause: she has been honoured as a saint since before the Church's formal processes began.

Why that counted as sanctity

One of the virgin companions who, according to the legend, escorted the body of Saint Germanus of Auxerre back to Gaul in 448, dying on the journey; feast 26 November.

Connected on this site

• Germanus of Auxerre Saint
  “Heiric recounts that Saint Germanus of Auxerre died at the imperial court in Ravenna in 448, and that his body was carried back to Gaul accompanied by five virgins, probably Italian, who had become his disciples: Magnentia, Palladia, Camilla, Portia and Maxima.” — this site's research