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St. Tarcisius

Feast 08-15

Patron of

About

Tarcisius was a young Christian of Rome in the third century, remembered as a martyr of the Eucharist. According to tradition, during a time of persecution he was carrying the Blessed Sacrament to imprisoned Christians when he was stopped by a mob. Rather than surrender the Eucharist, he was beaten to death.

He is one of the earliest known acolytes, and his story has inspired devotion to the Eucharist among young people for centuries. Pope Damasus I honored him with an inscription comparing him to St. Stephen.

He is venerated as a patron of altar servers and first communicants.

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Suggested prayer

O God, who gave Tarcisius the grace to die rather than surrender the Blessed Sacrament, grant through his intercession that altar servers and first communicants may share his reverence for the Body of Christ. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sources

Other saints to pray to

For altar servers

For first communicants