Lenten Station Church
2nd Friday of Lent
St Vitalis(San Vitale)

The Basilica of Sts Vitalis, Valeris, Gervase and Protase is an ancient Catholic church in Rome and is a minor basilica. It is commonly called the Basilica di San Vitale. The basilica was built in 400 with funds provided by Vestina, a wealthy widow, and was consecrated by Pope Innocent I in 401/402. It was dedicated to Sts Gervasius and Protasius and called the "titulus Vestinae". The dedication to St Vitalis and his family (Saint Valeria, his wife, and Sts Gervasius and Protasius, their sons) is dated to 412. This church is recorded as Titulus Vestinae in the acts of the 499 synod of Pope Symmachus, and three priests from the church subscribed their names. St Vitalis was restored several times, the most important being the rebuilding by Pope Sixtus IV before the Jubilee of 1475, and then in 1598, 1938 and 1960. The church is currently located several meters under the level of the street, via Nazionale, that it faces. The portico is the most ancient part of the church, possibly dating back to the 5th century. It was altered at the end of the 16th century. The inscription on the portico, with the arms of Pope Sixtus IV, dates from this time. Pope Pius IX built the staircase to the 5th century portico in 1859. The church has a single nave, with walls frescoed with scenes of martyrdom, among which a Martyrdom of St Ignatius of Antioch, in which a ruined Colosseum is depicted. The apsis, original of the 5th century, is decorated with a fresco by Andrea Commodi, The Ascent to Calvary. Basilica St Vitalis Exterior Views Basilica of St Vitalis Interior Views Little is known of the life of St Vitalis. Stories say that he was born in Milan and buried alive in Ravenna. He is the father of the patron saints of Milan, Gervasius and Protasius. Legend says he encouraged St Ursicinus of Ravenna to die “like a good martyr” while Ursicinus was being executed. The persecuting judge noted Vitalis took Ursicinus’ body away for burial and ordered Vitalis tortured and buried alive. Valeria, Vitalis’ wife, also was martyred on her way home to Milan. The stories also say their children were martyred. On your next (or first) visit to Rome, be sure to include on your agenda a tour of St Vitalis. You are sure to discover fantastic aspects of this historic basilica. Reference: 'San Vitale, Rome' on Wikipedia.org 'Vitalis of Milan' on Wikipedia.org All Photographs are from Commons.WikiMedia.org Pope Pius IX 634 (1978)