Modestus

Who they were

Modestus is honoured with Vitus and Crescentia as a martyr under Diocletian, on 15 June. The Martyrology of St. Jerome shows that the three were publicly venerated in the fifth century, which, the Catholic Encyclopedia says, proves they are real martyrs, though nothing historical is known of their lives or deaths.

A later legend, without historical value, makes Modestus the tutor of the boy Vitus. It says he fled with Vitus to Lucania, was tortured with him and his nurse Crescentia at Rome, and died with them of their torments.

The miracles

There was never a formal cause: he has been honoured as a saint since before the Church's formal processes began.

Why that counted as sanctity

A martyr honoured with Vitus and Crescentia since the fifth century.