St. Vitus belonged to a aristocratic, yet unfortunately pagan, family of Mazurra, Sicily, and was born about the year 291. His father, Hylas, placed his son in early childhood under the care of a couple named Modestus and Crescentia. What Hylas did not know was that this kind couple were actually Catholics. They taught Vitus the True Faith as he grew up, and at length the boy was baptized.

Once he was baptized, Vitus advanced in virtue as he stayed on with this couple. One day, when Vitus was twelve, his father brought him back to his pagan home. It did not take long for Hylas to discover that his son was a devout Catholic, and that he would not think of adoring the false gods. Hylas soon learned that his son’s refusal to deny his Faith was no childish whim, for Hylas had Vitus be scourged and tortured in an attempt to shake his courage.

Forced to admit that he could not change the boy’s mind, he sent his child to the governor of the city, Valerian, convinced that he could make the child a pagan again. Both Hylas and Valerian, however, underestimated the combined power of Vitus with God. For Valerian tried every scheme that he could think of so that this young man would give up his Faith.

Exasperated, Valerian finally commanded Vitus to be scourged. When the two soldiers, who were about to execute this order, raised their arms to strike the boy, their hands, as well as Valerian’s, suddenly grew stiff and instantly became lame. The governor angrily attributed it to some witchcraft that Vitus knew. Yet Valerian still appealed to young Vitus to cure them. Willingly, Vitus prayed and made the Sign of the Cross over their crippled hands. Just as quickly as they had been made lame, they were healed right in front of their eyes. Valerian, though, was not going to admit the truth of Vitus’ God. So he simply sent the boy back to his father, and told Hylas to do all he could to convince his son to sacrifice to the idols.

Hylas now tried flatteries, pleasures, and amusements to influence the brave boy. He even went so far as to send a corrupt woman to tempt him. He locked them both together in the same room. Vitus had remained faithful to God when his body had been tortured, so now did he also resist these evil attacks on his soul. Closing his eyes, he knelt in fervent prayer. An Angel suddenly appeared, filling the room with heavenly splendor. The angelic guardian stood at the holy youth's side. The wicked woman was filled with terror and fled the room. But sadly, even this miracle did not change the pagan father’s obstinate mind.

Hylas continued his persecution on his son. In time, Vitus was able to escape with Modestus and Crescentia, and together they fled to Italy. The three of them landed safely in Naples. They proclaimed Christ wherever they had an opportunity. Their fervor and many miracles which they obtained attracted the attention of Emperor Diocletian who had them brought before his court. At first he treated them kindly, flattering them and making various promises - so as to persuade them to renounce Christ.

When he saw that this had no effect, Diocletian commanded them to be cruelly tormented. But this tyranny had no other result than to compel them to be even more firm in their Faith. Enraged, the emperor condemned them to be thrown to the wild beasts. But to his further astonishment and anger, the lions and tigers behaved in a manner that was the complete opposite of their usual vicious nature. Crouched down at the Saint’s feet, the animals almost showed affection for them. Diocletian was enraged at this and ordered the three Catholics to be thrown into a caldron of molten lead and boiling oil. Vitus and his friends prayed, "O God, deliver us through the power of Thy Name!" Their prayer was heard, and all three of them were unharmed.

The emperor then condemned them all to the rack. While in the midst of this torture, Vitus, Modestus and Crescentia were called to God and their everlasting reward in Heaven. It was the year 303 when they received the martyr’s crown.