Vitus, St

Vitus, St.

one of the fourteen so-called helpers in need of the Romish Church, is stated to have been a native of Sicily, and of heathen parentage. He lived under Diocletian, and fled from persecution to Lower Italy and to Rome, where he wrought marvelous cures, but was condemned to die because of his unbending fidelity to Christianity. As fire would not burn him and lions would not tear him, it became necessary to torture him to death. His body was taken to France, first to Saint Denis and afterwards to Corvey. Portions of his relics are preserved at Prague, Salzbulrg, and elsewhere. A second martyr of this name is mentioned, whose body was brought from Pavia to Prague. See Herzog, Real Encyklop. s.v.