Saint Vitus, whose name can also be Guy, was a child saint. He was entrusted by his pagan parents to the care of a Catholic nurse, Crescentia, and her husband, Modestus. They secretly baptized him and brought him up as a Catholic. When his father discovered that he had become a Catholic, he handed him over to the pagan governor of Sicily, where he lived, for punishment. Vitus, Crescentia and Modestus all escaped to southern Italy. All three were captured by pagan soldiers there, most cruelly tortured, and then put to death. All three are lovingly remembered by the Catholic Church as saints. Saint Vitus is one of the fourteen Holy Helpers. He is the protector against nervous diseases, epilepsy and paralysis. He is also the protector against the nervous affliction known as “Saint Vitus’ Dance.”
Martyrdom of Saint Vitus (anonymous German: source)
