Saints
St. Tarcisius
St. Tarcisius Biography
Saint Tarcisius, also known as Saint Tarsicius or Saint Tarsisius, was a Roman martyr who lived in the 3rd century AD. He is venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church and is one of the patron saints of altar servers.
According to tradition, Tarcisius was a young boy who lived in Rome and was a catechumen, a person preparing to be baptized into the Christian faith. He was chosen to carry the Eucharist, the consecrated bread and wine used in the Christian sacrament of Communion, to imprisoned Christians who were unable to attend Mass.
While carrying the Eucharist, Tarcisius was confronted by a group of pagans who demanded that he reveal what he was carrying. Tarcisius refused to divulge the contents of the vessel and was brutally beaten and killed by the mob.
The martyrdom of Tarcisius was witnessed by Saint Augustine of Hippo, who later wrote about the incident in his writings. Tarcisius’s bravery and willingness to sacrifice his life for his faith inspired many other Christians, and he became a symbol of the strength of Christian conviction.
Tarcisius is remembered as a patron saint of altar servers and is often invoked by those who serve at the altar in Christian churches. His feast day is August 15th, and he is remembered for his devotion to the Eucharist and his willingness to suffer for his faith.
In addition to being a patron saint of altar servers, Tarcisius is also venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church and is remembered for his bravery and sacrifice. His story is an example of the power of faith and the willingness to stand up for one’s beliefs, even in the face of persecution and death.
Tarcisius’s legacy continues to inspire Christians today, and he is remembered as a model of devotion and courage. Many churches and schools have been named in honor of Saint Tarcisius, and his feast day is celebrated with special liturgical services and prayers.
Popular St. Tarcisius Medal and St. Tarcisius Rosary
Patron Saints - T's
Prayers to St. Tarcisius
Prayer of Intercession to St. Tarcisius
Dear Saint Tarcisius, you were a brave and faithful servant of God, willing to suffer and even give up your life for your belief in the Eucharist. Help me to be as devoted to my faith as you were, and to always stand up for what I believe in. Guide me in my role as an altar server, and give me the strength to serve faithfully and with reverence. I ask for your intercession and protection as I fulfill my duties at the altar. Amen.
Prayer to St. Tarcisius
O Saint Tarcisius, your steadfast faith and devotion to the Eucharist inspires us even to this day. We ask for your guidance and protection as we serve at the altar, and we pray that we may be as devoted to our faith as you were. Help us to always stand up for what we believe in, even in the face of persecution and adversity. May we be filled with your courage and strength as we fulfill our duties as altar servers. We pray through your intercession to God for His blessings and grace. Amen.
Children’s Story about the life of St. Tarcisius
Long, long ago, in the city of Rome, there lived a young boy named Tarcisius. Tarcisius was very special because he was preparing to become a Christian. This meant that he was learning about God and Jesus, and he was getting ready to be baptized.
One day, the priests at Tarcisius’s church asked him if he would be willing to do a very important job. They needed someone to carry the Eucharist, the special bread and wine that Catholics eat during Mass, to some Christians who were in prison. They couldn’t go to Mass, so the priests wanted to bring the Eucharist to them.
Tarcisius knew this was a big responsibility, but he also knew that it was a very important way to help other Christians. So he bravely said yes.
As Tarcisius was walking to the prison, he was confronted by a group of mean pagans who didn’t believe in Jesus. They saw Tarcisius carrying the Eucharist and demanded to know what was in the vessel.
Tarcisius knew he couldn’t reveal what was inside. He had promised the priests that he would keep it safe and secret. So he bravely told the pagans no and refused to show them what was inside.
The pagans were very angry and they began to beat Tarcisius. They hit him and punched him, trying to make him tell them what was in the vessel. But Tarcisius was very brave and he refused to reveal the contents of the Eucharist, even though it was very painful.
Finally, the pagans became so angry that they killed Tarcisius. But even as he was dying, Tarcisius kept the Eucharist safe and protected.
Tarcisius’s bravery and devotion to God inspired many other Christians. Today, he is remembered as a saint and a hero. And he is the patron saint of altar servers, which means that he is a special protector for all the boys and girls who help out at Mass.
Reflection on the Feast of St. Tarcisius
Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Tarcisius on August 15th
Today, we celebrate the feast of Saint Tarcisius, a young Roman martyr who lived in the 3rd century. Saint Tarcisius is remembered for his bravery and devotion to the Eucharist, the consecrated bread and wine that we Catholics eat during Mass.
According to tradition, Tarcisius was asked by the priests at his church to carry the Eucharist to imprisoned Christians who were unable to attend Mass. As he was delivering the Eucharist, Tarcisius was confronted by a group of pagans who demanded to know what he was carrying. Tarcisius refused to reveal the contents of the vessel, and he was brutally beaten and killed by the mob.
Saint Tarcisius’s willingness to suffer and even give up his life for his belief in the Eucharist is a powerful example of the strength of Christian faith. His bravery inspires us to stand up for what we believe in, even in the face of persecution and adversity.
As we celebrate the feast of Saint Tarcisius, we are reminded of the importance of the Eucharist in our lives as Catholics. The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith, and it is through the Eucharist that we are united with Jesus and with one another.
Let us ask Saint Tarcisius to intercede for us and to guide us in our own faith journeys. May we be inspired by his example to be devoted and courageous followers of Jesus. Amen.
Saints Similar to St. Tarcisius
You may also be interested in reading the Biography of St. John Berchmans. St. Tarcisius and St. John Berchmans were young Christian martyrs known for their dedication to the faith, making them inspirational figures for the youth. Next up: Biography of St. Teresa of Avila
Also check out our handmade St. Tarcisius Medal and St. Tarcisius Rosary and St. Tarcisius Rosary Bracelet .