St. Tarcisius Novena
Contents
Show HideSt. Tarcisius was an early Christian martyr. He lived during the 3rd century. He died a martyr at age twelve.
St. Tarcisius showed great courage in his martyrdom. You can use this novena to seek intercession from this courageous young martyr in many aspects of your life.
About Tarcisius
St. Tarcisius is believed to have been born around the year 263 in Rome. Little is known for certain about him. Most of what is known about him comes from a poem that Pope Damasus wrote about him.
Tarcisius was alive during a very fierce persecution of Christians. It is thought that he lived during the persecution of Valerian. He was an acolyte and would gather with other Christians in secret at the catacombs for the celebration of Mass.
After these secret Masses, a deacon would take the Eucharist to Christian prisoners who were awaiting their martyrdoms. On one occasion, there was no deacon available to do this. Since Tarcisius was an acolyte, he was sent to take the Eucharist to the Christian prisoners.
On his way to the prison, Tarcisius encountered a group of non-Christian boys. He had played with these boys before, so they asked him to join in a game they were playing. Because Tarcisius knew the importance of his mission, he refused the invitation to join their game.
The boys noticed that Tarcisius was carrying something. They also somehow realized that he was a Christian. They wanted to view the “Christian Mysteries” he was carrying, but he refused. The group of boys became angry and began to beat him severely. Tarcisius fell to the ground as they beat him, but he refused to surrender the Eucharist to them.
Though we do not know for certain the details of what followed this beating, it is thought that another Christian came upon Tarcisius and saved him from their beating. But by this time, his body was terribly mangled. The other Christian took Tarcisius’ broken body to the catacombs.
On the way to the catacombs, Tarcisius died from his many injuries. He was buried in the San Callisto catacombs. At a later date, his relics were moved to the San Silvestro church in Rome.
Pope Damasus was inspired to write a poem about Sts. Tarcisius and Stephen during the 300s. In it, he calls St. Tarcisius the “boy-martyr of the Eucharist.” He also compares Tarcisius to St. Stephen and says that he chose to suffer death at the hands of a mob rather than surrender the Holy Eucharist to raging dogs.
The poem can be translated thus: “When an insane gang pressed saintly Tarcisius, who was carrying the Sacraments of Christ, to display them to the profane, he preferred to be killed and give up his life, rather than betray to rabid dogs the heavenly body.”
St. Tarcisius’ Feast Day: August 15th
Why Pray the St. Tarcisius Novena?
St. Tarcisius is the patron saint of altar servers. You can pray the St. Tarcisius Novena if you are an altar server. Or you can use this novena to seek the intercession of St. Tarcisius for an altar server you know.
St. Tarcisius is also the patron saint of First Communicants. You can pray the St. Tarcisius Novena to seek his intercession if you are preparing to receive your First Holy Communion. Or you can pray the St. Tarcisius Novena for someone you know who is preparing to receive their First Holy Communion.
You can pray the St. Tarcisius Novena for any intention!
St. Tarcisius Novena Prayers
St. Tarcisius Novena - Day 1
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Tarcisius as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Tarcisius, we know little about your early years. But we know that you were only twelve years old when you bravely served as an acolyte during a persecution of Christians. Despite your young age, you courageously chose to die defending Our Eucharistic Lord.
Please take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that all children may receive the love and formation they need.
Pray for us, that we may always do all we can to advance in holiness each day. Pray that we may always serve God faithfully in every circumstance.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Tarcisius, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Tarcisius Novena - Day 2
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Tarcisius as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Tarcisius, you are honored as the patron saint of altar servers. Though you were still a child, you bravely served as an acolyte during a persecution. You were such a faithful server that you were entrusted with the holy task of taking Our Lord in the Eucharist to prisoners.
Please take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that all altar servers may serve faithfully and may grow in holiness through their service.
Pray for us, that we may always be eager to serve God in whatever ways He calls us to. Pray that we may grow closer to God each day of our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Tarcisius, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Tarcisius Novena - Day 3
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Tarcisius as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Tarcisius, you are honored as the patron saint of First Communicants. You were entrusted with the very important mission of taking Our Eucharistic Lord to Christians who were awaiting their martyrdom in prison. You died defending the Eucharist.
Please take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that all who are preparing to receive their First Holy Communion may be holy and faithful.
Pray for us, that we may do all we can to grow in intimacy with Our Lord each day. Pray that we may grow in holiness at every opportunity God gives us.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Tarcisius, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Tarcisius Novena - Day 4
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Tarcisius as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Tarcisius, you were given the holy and important task of taking the Eucharist to Christian prisoners awaiting martyrdom. You knew the importance of your mission and refused to show the Eucharist to those who stopped you. You died defending Our Eucharistic Lord.
Please take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that we and all people may grow in devotion to the Eucharist.
Pray for us, that we may grow in every virtue we need for holiness. Pray that we may make our relationship with God our top priority in life.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Tarcisius, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Tarcisius Novena - Day 5
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Tarcisius as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Tarcisius, you served faithfully as an acolyte at Mass during a fierce persecution of Christians. Though you probably did not expect to be entrusted with the mission of taking the Eucharist to prisoners, you accepted this mission faithfully and gave your life defending Our Lord.
Please take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that we may grow to a deeper openness to God’s will in our lives.
Pray for us, that we may always do all things out of love for God. Pray that we may do all we can to grow in union with God each day.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Tarcisius, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Tarcisius Novena - Day 6
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Tarcisius as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Tarcisius, you courageously chose to practice your faith in the midst of a vicious persecution. When you were tasked with taking the Eucharist to Christian prisoners awaiting their martyrdom, you courageously carried out your mission. You eventually gave up your life defending the Eucharist.
Please take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that we may grow in the courage we need for holiness.
Pray for us, that we may make growth in virtue and holiness our top priority in life. Pray that we may do all we can to serve God faithfully each day.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Tarcisius, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Tarcisius Novena - Day 7
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Tarcisius as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Tarcisius, you faced a grave difficulty in your holy task of taking the Eucharist to Christians awaiting their martyrdom. Out of love for Our Lord, you courageously persevered in protecting the Eucharist despite threats and a severe beating.
Please take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that we may persevere in virtue and holiness.
Pray for us, that we may always do all we can to advance in virtue each day of our lives. Pray that we may carry out God’s will in our lives each day, no matter the cost.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Tarcisius, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Tarcisius Novena - Day 8
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Tarcisius as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Tarcisius, you courageously practiced your faith in a time of vicious persecution. You knew that your holy actions could bring suffering and death to you, but you served God faithfully and even gave up your life out of love for Him.
Please take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that God may grant strength and grace to all persecuted Christians.
Pray for us, that we may never allow any sufferings or difficulties to deter us from serving God. Pray that we may do all things in our lives out of love for God.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Tarcisius, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Tarcisius Novena - Day 9
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Tarcisius as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Tarcisius, you served the Church as an acolyte during a serious persecution of Christians. Despite danger to your life, you bravely devoted yourself to serving God and His Church. You eventually gave up your life protecting Our Eucharistic Lord.
Please take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that the Church may be strong and her members holy.
Pray for us, that we may do all we can to serve God and His Church each day of our lives. Pray that we may advance in holiness at every opportunity God gives us.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Tarcisius, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.