[Rank]
Ss. Viti, Modesti atque Crescentiae Martyrum;;Simplex;;1.1;;vide C3

[Rule]
vide C3;

[Ant 1]
For theirs is the Kingdom of heaven * who love not their lives in this world, and have attained unto the revard of the Kingdom, and have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb.

[Versum 1]
V. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye just,
R. And glory, all ye right of heart.

[Oratio]
O Lord, we pray thee to grant unto thy Church through the prayers of thine Holy Martyrs Vitus, Modestus, and Crescentia, to mind not high things, but in all lowliness to do ever such things as be pleasing in thy sight, looking down upon all such things as be corrupt, and working ever in love unfeigned such things as be righteous.
$Per Dominum

[Lectio93]
This Vitus was a child who was baptized without his father's knowledge. When his father had found it out, he used his best endeavours to dissuade his son from the Christian religion, but as he found him persistent in it, he handed him over to Valerian the judge to be whipped. But as he still remained as unshaken as before, he was given back to his father. But while his father was turning over in his mind to what severe discipline to subject him, Vitus, being warned by an Angel, fled out of the country, in company with his foster-parents Modestus and Crescentia. In his new home he gained great praise for holiness, so that the fame of it came to Diocletian, which Emperor sent for him to deliver his own child which was vexed with a devil. Him Vitus delivered, but when the Emperor found that with all his great gifts he could not bring him to worship the gods, he had the ingratitude to cast him and Modestus and Crescentia into prison, binding them in fetters. But when they were found in their prison more faithful than ever to their confession, the Emperor commanded them to be thrown into a great vessel full of melted lead, resin, and pitch. Therein these three, like the three Holy Children in the burning fiery furnace, sang praise to God and upon that they were haled forth and cast to a lion, but he lay down before them, and licked their feet. Then the Emperor, being filled with fury, more especially because he saw that the multitude that looked on were stirred up at the miracle, commanded Vitus, Modestus, and Crescentia to be stretched upon a block and their limbs crushed, and their bones rent one from the other. While as they were dying there came great thunderings, and lightnings, and earthquakes, so that temples of the gods fell down, and many men were killed. As for that which remained of the Martyrs, the noble lady Florence took it, and embalmed it with spices, and honourably buried it.
&teDeum

[Ant 2]
Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered * fear not therefore ye are of more value than many sparrows.

[Versum 2]
V. The saints shall rejoice in glory:
R. They shall be joyful in their beds.