St. Vitus [303] was born in Sicily of eminent pagan parents. Modestus was his tutor and Crescentia his governess. St. Vitus was baptised early and, when only twelve years old, began to live an intensive ascetic life. Angels appeared to him, instructing him and encouraging him in his labours, and he was himself as radiant and handsome as an angel of God. A judge who beat him had the flesh of his arm wither away, but Vitus healed it by his prayers. His father was blinded when he saw twelve angels in his room 'with eyes like stars and faces like lightning', but Vitus restored his sight by his prayers. When his father sought to kill him, an angel appeared to him and took him to Lucania on the bank of the river Silaris, together with Modestus and Crescentia. St. Vitus performed many miracles there for the sick and insane. He went to Rome at the summons of the Emperor Diocletian and drove out an evil spirit from his son. Far from rewarding him, the Emperor tortured him cruelly when he would not bow down before mute idols, but the Lord delivered him from torture and returned him to Lucania by His invisible arm, and there he and Modestus and Crescentia entered into rest in the Lord. St. Vitus' relics are preserved in Prague."
In the West, St. Vitus' aid is often invoked for the cure of many ailments, especially insanity and demonic possession. For this reason his name is given to St. Vitus' dance, an acute neurological illness that produces uncontrollable movements in the face and limbs, usually occurring in children.
