SAINTS AND HEROES

The Reality of Love made Visible:“Saint Tarcisius”

St. Tarsicious• Have you ever noticed that we can

see the same people in different ways?• We can have our eyes open to look for the good

in people, • or we can look and see the mistakes they make.

• When we “put on our saints-glasses,” • we can find the saints of today, who love Jesus,

and do many good things for him.• We can find saints from a long time ago,

too.

St. Tarcisious• Today, I want to tell you the true story of a young

boy.• His name is Tarcisious.• He was about ten or twelve years old. He lived in Rome when the

Christians were persecuted and tortured.• Roman Emperor hated Christians. He said,• “If they continue to believe in Jesus, we will put them in prison. • We will even put them to death, let the lions devour them!”

• Christians could not meet openly. • They could not go to Mass together. • They could not talk about Jesus out loud anywhere.

• Did this stop the Christians? No!• They met secretly.

• Let see how our early Christians and Tarsicious kept the faith.

TARCISIOUS AND HIS MOTHER• They were going to a secret place, where

they could have Mass and speak to Jesus out loud.• They had to walk through the big city of Rome first• Whey walked very cautiously. • They didn’t want anyone to notice them because they

were Christians on their way to the secret hiding place. • They make it through the city alright. They

arrive outside the city. • A man was waiting for them in front of a large rock; he

had a torch in his hands.• When they noticed each other, they looked around to

make sure that no one saw where they were going.

Christians Celebrate Mass• The man said, “Follow me, very quietly. Watch your step.” • He lit his torch. Then they went around the rock, down under the

ground, to Christian burial places, where there were sometimes larger caves.

• That is where the Christians met.

• Tarsicious and his mother followed the man down into the cave. Many Christians were already there. • They said freely, out loud, “I love Jesus,” and there was no one here

to put them in prison for it.• They were talking together about how much they loved God, and

praised God. They were happy to be together.• There was Tarsicious’ mother and Tarsicious, Mass was

about to begin. • Father came out and began to celebrate Mass.• They were singing praise to God, glorifying Jesus Christ.

Some Captures Christians Want to Receive Jesus

• Tarcisious was happy. Why? • Because he knew that he would hear “This is my Body… this is

my Blood” during Mass.• He knew that everyone there was going to receive Jesus in

their hearts and in their lives.• The Mass continued, they spoke to God an praised

him. Then, the Mass came to an end.• Father stayed by the altar. People were a little

nervous. What is going on?• Father said, “Christians, I have some sad and hard news to tell

you. • Some of our fellow Christians have been captured.• Tomorrow, they are going to die. • They have one request: to receive Jesus in holy Communion.”

The Christians were Nervous• Everyone was very quiet and

nervous. Why?• They knew that Father would have to

take communion to the Christians.• They said, • “Father, no, no you cannot go! • What if you get caught? • What will happen to us? • It is too dangerous for you!

Tarcisious Wanted to Help

• A tall man, who was a Roman soldier but became Christian, stepped forward and said,• “Father, I will go! Send me. I will go! • I will go through the city and I will take Jesus to the prisoners.”

• Father was grateful, but he knew that the man was a soldier, • and he would be watched, and if they caught him, • they would find and catch everyone else, too.

• Tarsicious was little— but he wanted to help. • He wanted to take Jesus.. He looked up at his mother.. And his mother

understood!• So, Tarsicious said,

• “Father, I will take Jesus! Let me take Jesus to the prisoners!”• Father said, • “Tarsicious, you are too small, What if you get caught?”

Tarcisious Held Jesus over His Chest

• Tarsicious said, “That’s just it! • I am so small that no one will notice me.• I can slip through the city.

• Please, let me take Jesus to the prisoners. I want to! I am not afraid!”• Father said, “I think you are right.” • Then he took a cloth, carefully wrapped in

it the hosts that were left from Mass,• and handed them to the boy.

• Tarsicious hid the cloth under his shirt and held his hand over his chest to protect Jesus.

Tarcisious Walk Through the City of Rome

• Then Tarcisious had to go back through the city of Rome to the prison, where the Christians were kept.• He was careful because he had Jesus

with him, and he did not want to get caught.• As he was walking towards the city,

he came to an open park, and Oh! • What did he see? Some boys that he

knew were playing!

Tarcisious and Some Boys• He did not want to be noticed, so he started to

walk by , thinking, “Please, don’t notice me!”• Then, one of the boys notice him. • “Hey , Tarsicious! Come on, play with us”

• Tarsicious said, • “no, I can’t play now. • I will be back later.”

• They boy did not accept that from Tarcisious. • They grabbed him and threw him on the ground.

• He was still holding Jesus.

Saint Tarcisious• They said, “Hey, he has got something! • They started grabbing his arm.• Tarsicious start praying, • “Jesus don’t let them find you.” • Help me to protect you.. Keep me strong…”

• The boys said, • He is praying! He is a Christian!”

• One of the boys picked up a rock, and threw it at Tarsicious. • The others picked up rocks, too..

Tarcisious was Hurt

• Tarsicious was bleeding. It was hurting him a lot. • They keep throwing rocks! • Then, they heard a man’s

voice,• “Hey get out of there! Leave him

alone!” • The boys ran away scared.

The Christian Soldier• Do you know who the man was? It was the

Christian soldier from the cave.• He was following Tarcisious.• He bent down and Held Tarcisious close to him.• Tarcisious looked dead! • But he slowly opened his eyes and said: • “They didn’t get Jesus. I kept him safe.• Take him to the prisoners.”

• Then, he died.

TARSICIOUS LOVING JESUS• Tarsicious died loving Jesus! A little boy can do

something so great! He protected Jesus. • He was anxious to take him to the prisoners.

This was amazing! He really loved Jesus a lot!1) Can we love Jesus as much as Tarsicious did?2) Who can be a saint or hero today? Anyone with the

help of God’s Grace.3) we have some among us!4) Who will bring the word of the Lord to his people? How

can we do it?5) Who will live the message of love every day?6) Who will be a hero for Jesus?