Who was the Saint

[NotWorthy]

OK, I hope I’m getting my story straight.

If I remember correctly, there was a young man, early in the Church’s history, who was transporting the Eucharist from one location to another. I’m not sure if They were from the local Bishop to the various local priests or whether he was bringing Them to the homebound.

When the local authorities (Romans, I think) caught him, they tried to take the Hosts away from the young man, but he wasn’t willing to let Them go, even when it meant his death.

I seem to recall the young man was declared a martyr and a saint. I can’t recall the young man’s name or any more of the story.

I’d love to know more about this incident. Can anyone enlighten me?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Spirithound]

I believe that is St. Tiresius (sp…?), Deacon and Martyr.
The part you said is really all I know of this saint.
His tomb is located (or maybe just a memorial to him) is in the Church of San Salvatore in Capite in Rome.

 

[NotWorthy]

**Thanks, Spirithound!!
**

You gave me the information I needed. From NewAdvent.Org

St. Tarsicius
Martyr. The only positive information concerning this Roman martyr is found in the poem composed in his honour by Pope Damasus (“Damasi epigrammata”, ed. Ihm, 14). In these lines Damasus compares Tarsicius to the protomartyr Stephen: just as the latter was stoned by the people of Judea so Tarsicius, carrying the Blessed Sacrament, was attacked by a heathen rabble, and he suffered death rather “than surrender the Sacred Body [of Christ] to the raging dogs”. This tradition so positively asserted by Damasus is undoubtedly historical. Nothing definite is known concerning the personality of this martyr of the Eucharist. He may have been a deacon, as Damasus compares him to Stephen. An addition to the sixth-century legend of the martyrdom of Pope St. Stephen makes Tarsicius, for some unknown reason, an acolyte; this addition, however, is based on the poem of Damasus. It is evident that the death of this martyr occurred in one of the persecutions that took place between the middle of the third century and the beginning of the fourth. He was buried in the Catacomb of St. Callistus, and the inscription by Damasus was placed later on his tomb. In the seventh century his remains rested in the same grave as those of Pope Zephyrinus; according to Willpert they lay in the burial vault above ground (cella trichora) which was situated towards the west over the Catacomb of St. Callistus. The feast of the saint is observed on 15 August.

 

[Spirithound]

blush I got almost all of my information wrong!! except for the deacon part…
Anyways, the church where there is a painting of him is the Basilica of San Silvestro in Capite which happens to be the national English church in Rome, 2 Masses in English on Sundays.

 

[eva6206213]

I believe Deacon and Martyr must be the Saint!

 

[NotWorthy]

OK, follow up. Who was the group that were rounded up and martyred while attending Mass? I’m thinking they were called Abitibi’s, but I can’t recall.

The way the story goes, the Romans captured them on Sunday while attending Mass. When asked how they could be so stupid to gather together, thus enabling their easy capture, the group replied something like, “You don’t understand. We can’t miss the Mass”.