Saint Tarsicius
Saint Tarsicius (died c. 257–258 AD in Rome, Italy) was a young Roman martyr who died defending the Eucharist from desecration. He was either an acolyte or a young deacon carrying the Blessed Sacrament to Christian prisoners condemned to death when he was intercepted by a pagan mob who demanded to see what he was carrying. He refused to surrender the Eucharist and was beaten to death. He is the patron saint of first communicants and altar servers. His feast day is August 15.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Tarsicius
| Saint Tarsicius | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | August 15 |
| Profession | Acolyte (or young deacon); Eucharistic martyr; young martyr of Rome |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Roman Church; 3rd-century Christian community; Valerian persecution; Eucharistic piety; patronage of altar servers and first communicants |
| Patronage | Altar servers; first communicants; young people receiving the Eucharist; children; those who protect sacred things; the Valerian persecution martyrs |
| Attributes | Eucharist (in his hands, hidden under his robe, or in a pyx); stones or blows (martyrdom); youth (traditionally depicted as a boy or young teen); catacombs; Appian Way |
| Birthplace | Rome, Italy |
| Death Place | Rome, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom; beaten to death by a pagan mob on a street in Rome c. 257–258 AD during the Valerian persecution; he was carrying the Eucharist to Christian prisoners awaiting execution; a crowd of pagans intercepted him and demanded to know what he was carrying; he refused to show them or surrender the sacred species; they beat him to death; when his body was searched no sacred species was found — either he had consumed it, or it had disappeared miraculously; Pope Damascus I commemorated him in a verse inscription at the Catacombs of Callixtus |
| Primary Shrine | Catacombs of San Callisto (Callixtus), Rome — his tomb; Damasus inscription; Appian Way pilgrimage site; visited by millions of pilgrims annually |
| Liturgical Class | Optional Memorial (Roman Rite); August 15 (shared with the Assumption of Mary — in practice, Tarsicius is often commemorated on the day before or a proximate day) |
| Historic Class | Not listed separately in universal 1962 calendar (his feast coincides with the Assumption) |
Biography
Tarsicius was a Christian in Rome c. 257–258 AD during the Valerian persecution. He was entrusted with carrying the Eucharist to Christian prisoners awaiting execution.
On his way through the streets of Rome (traditionally on the Appian Way), he was intercepted by a pagan crowd who demanded to see what he was carrying. He refused to show or surrender the Eucharist. The crowd beat him to death. When his body was searched, no sacred species was found.
Pope Damasus I (366–384 AD) composed a verse inscription for his tomb in the Catacombs of Callixtus, comparing him to Saint Stephen: both were young, both received blows, both chose death rather than betray what was sacred.
He is patron of altar servers and first communicants. His cult was particularly revived by Nicholas Wiseman's popular novel Fabiola (1856). His feast is August 15.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Rome, Italy
Death location: Rome, Italy
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Shrines
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Known shrines
- Catacombs of San Callisto, Rome — his tomb; Damasus verse inscription; Appian Way.
Feast day
August 15
Veneration
Saint Tarsicius was a young Roman martyr who died defending the Eucharist from desecration during the Valerian persecution. Patron of altar servers and first communicants. His feast is August 15.
Prayers
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