St. Vitus Joh 15,18-21

Vitus, born in Lucania

June 15, non-binding commemoration
Position: martyr
Death: century unknown
Patron: youth, winemakers, innkeepers, pharmacists, blacksmiths, actors, brewers, miners, the mute and deaf; Czech, Saxon, Sicilian, and other places; invoked to protect chastity and to eliminate infertility; against eye and ear diseases; an aid against rabies, epilepsy,
Attributes: child or young man, raven with bread, book, rooster, cauldron or bowl, lion, palm tree
CURRICULUM VITAE

He came from Sicily, and during the persecution of Diocletian, at a very young age, he and his two tutors fled to the coast of southern Italy, near Lucania. They were caught, and in Lucania, Vitus was martyred. We can venerate his remains in the Prague Cathedral.
CV FOR MEDITATION

“I WILL NOT SEPARATE FROM JESUS’ LOVE!”
A decision worthy of respect or childish stubbornness? In any case, this is a commendable principle, even if it applies to little Vitus. Today, a child is once again set as a model for us, and on this occasion, we can also recall Christ’s words: “Unless you become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 18:3).

Vitus was probably born at the end of the 3rd century in Sicily. His birthplace is Masara, and his father is said to be the wealthy Hylas (or Ilasius), a Roman citizen and pagan nobleman. His educators are said to be the Christian nurse, Crescentia, and her husband, Modest. The oldest surviving biography dates back to the 7th century and describes Vitus as a miraculous boy who could not be turned away from his faith by anyone. Neither his pagan father, nor the judge Valerian, nor the emperor Diocletian, nor even mortal torment.

Vít received a good Christian upbringing; he had to meet a model of true Christian love to know that God loves him perfectly and that, if he does not give up, Jesus will not abandon him. With childlike simplicity, he fell in love with him and entrusted him, even though he realized he would have to suffer with Jesus.

We do not know exactly how old he was when he attained eternal glory, but from a human perspective, he did not reach adulthood. The average age is usually around 12 when the persecution began. The book A Year with the Saints states that he lived only seven years. No biography that could be considered reliable has survived, and contemporary biographies are influenced by legends that grew with interest in this young saint. It is enough to look at his extensive patronage to recall that, in the Middle Ages, veneration for him spread throughout Europe. Expressions of popular piety were widespread, and about 1,300 churches were dedicated to him. In Sicily and Sardinia, churches and monasteries dedicated to him were already in place by the 6th century. There is also a mention of the church of St. Vitus, dating to the 5th century, which Pope Gelasius I consecrated.

According to the legends about Vitus, his father did not know about his baptism and upbringing in the faith for some time. Until one day he realized that his son did not honor the gods as befits him, and therefore he talked to him about the matter and persuaded him to change the faith he had received from the Christians. Perhaps they were Modest and Crescentia, whom the boy did not immediately reveal. Some believe that it could have been the influence of Christians outside the home. The fact is that at that time, Diocletian’s edict against Christians was issued, and persecution began. Vitus was severely beaten for his faith, probably by the governor Valerian, for stubbornly professing faith in Jesus. He was returned to his father with a warning that he must change his attitude towards religion as soon as possible.

Vitus’s father saw that he had little influence over his son and was reportedly considering putting him on trial. Modest and Crescentia were not left alone either. According to some stories, Modest was called by an angel in a dream to flee the country with the boy. In any case, Vitus reached the southern Italian coast near Lucania and was too young to travel. According to legend, they hid there for some time and at the same time tried to offer faith to others. Vitus lived with the knowledge of the holy secret that Christ gave himself up to death by crucifixion so that we could have eternal salvation. Vitus and his companions received generous help from one of the inhabitants. However, for their courage, they were exposed, and Vitus, in an effort to evangelize, is said to have cured the monarch’s son of epilepsy or possession. However, the monarch tried to repay him primarily by trying to talk him out of the Christian faith.

Vitus’s virtue of vigilance is highlighted, as he never allowed himself to be tempted by anything or anyone to betray his love for Jesus. That is why his main attribute is a rooster. Among other virtues, humble simplicity is mentioned.

When asked why he was reluctant to sacrifice to immortal gods, his answer was something like: “I do not bow to stone or wood. Only to the true and living God!” He is also said to have said in response to a remark about destruction: “I do not throw myself into destruction, but I long for the congregation of the saints with God.” By persevering, he did not throw himself into destruction, but into the arms of God.

He initially emerged unscathed from the prepared tortures that they tried to put him through. He was bathed in a cauldron of boiling pitch or oil, and when he left the cauldron unharmed, an attempt was made to hand him over to a hungry lion. However, the lion did not harm him either. The deathbed was therefore designated as a gallows, where he was eventually beheaded. It is said that during his execution, pagan temples began to collapse due to an earthquake.

Vitus soon began to be invoked as a protector against many diseases and became a patron saint for several professions. In the 8th century, his remains were transferred to St. Dennis in France and from there to the monastery in Corvey. The arm of St. Vitus was donated by the German king Henry I to Prince Wenceslas, who built a church in Vitus’s honor at Prague Castle at the beginning of the 10th century. Emperor Charles IV then had a cathedral built there to celebrate Vitus. However, he was not satisfied with just Vitus’ arm; in 1355, he is said to have brought a significant part of his remaining remains to Prague. They are placed in the altar of St. Vitus in the gallery behind the main altar.