top of page

Our Patron Saint

Our parish is honoured to be named after Saint Vitalis of Milan, a courageous martyr and steadfast witness to the Christian faith. Saint Vitalis' unwavering commitment to Christ, even in the face of persecution, serves as a powerful example of faith, courage, and love for both God and neighbour.

St. Vitalis
of Milan

Saint Vitalis was a first century Christian citizen of Milan and the father of the twin brothers and future martyrs, Saints Gervasius and Protasius. He is the principal patron of Ravenna, where he was martyred.

​

Divine providence had conducted him to that city, where he saw come before the tribunal there a Christian physician named Ursicinus, who had been tortured and who then was condemned to lose his head for his faith. Suddenly the captive grew terrified at the thought of death, and seemed ready to yield. Vitalis was extremely moved by this spectacle. He knew his double obligation to prefer the glory of God and the eternal salvation of his neighbor to his own corporal life; he therefore boldly and successfully encouraged Ursicinus to triumph over death, saying, Ursicinus, you who cured others would want to drive into your soul the dagger of eternal death? Do not lose the crown the Lord has prepared for you! Ursicinus was touched; he knelt down and asked the executioner to strike him. After his martyrdom Saint Vitalis carried away his body and respectfully interred it.

​

Saint Vitalis now resigned his post as judiciary assistant to Paulinus, who had been absent on the occasion of the sentence of Ursinius. Paulinus had his former assistant apprehended, and after having him tortured, commanded that if he refused to sacrifice to the gods, he be buried alive, which sentence was carried out. 

Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints, a compilation based on Butler's Lives of the Saints and other sources by John Gilmary Shea (Benziger Brothers: New York, 1894); Les Petits Bollandistes: Vies des Saints, by Msgr. Paul Guérin (Bloud et Barral: Paris, 1882), Vol. 5

ST. VITAL

PARISH

St. Vital Parish,  4905 50th Street, Beaumont, AB, T4X 1J9  |  stvitalchurch@shaw.ca  |  (780) 929-8541

 Parish Office Hours: Mon - Fri: 8am-12pm, 1pm-4pm​

©2025 by St. Vital Parish

bottom of page