The custom of taking the Eucharist to prisoners and the sick became increasingly dangerous during the reign of Emperor Valerian, who was harshly persecuting Christians in the third century. One day, when the priest asked who in the congregation was prepared to take the Eucharist to the other brothers and sisters who were waiting for it, young Tarcisius stood up and asked to be sent. "My youth", Tarcisius said, "will be the best shield for the Eucharist". Convinced, the priest entrusted to him the precious Bread, saying: "Tarcisius, remember that a heavenly treasure has been entrusted to your weak hands. Avoid crowded streets and do not forget that holy things must never be thrown to dogs nor pearls to pigs. Will you guard the Sacred Mysteries faithfully and safely?". "I would die", Tarcisio answered with determination, "rather than let go of them".
On his way he met some friends who approached him and asked him to join them. As pagans they became suspicious and insistent at his refusal and realized he was clasping something to his breast that he appeared to be protecting. They tried to pry it away from him and the struggle became fiercer when they realized that Tarcisius was a Christian. They kicked him and threw stones at him, but he did not surrender. While Tarcisius was dying a Pretoria guard called Quadratus, who was secretly a Christian, carried him to the priest. Tarcisius was already dead when they arrived but was still clutching to his breast a small linen bag containing the Eucharist. He was buried straight away in the Catacombs of St Calixtus. There is a beautiful oral tradition claiming that the Most Blessed Sacrament was not found on St. Tarcisius' body, either in his hands or his clothing. It explains that the consecrated Host which the little martyr had defended with his life, had become flesh of his flesh thereby forming, together with his body, a single immaculate Host offered to God.
Pope Benedict XVI. “Saint Tarcisius.” The Holy See, 4 August 2010, https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/audiences/2010/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20100804.html.
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