Saint Tarcisius (275) – martyr of the Eucharist. Tarcisius was a young acolyte who lived during the reign of Emperor Valerian. During the persecution of the early Church, the faithful were forced to celebrate Mass in secret. One day after Mass, Tarcisius took on the task of carrying the Eucharist to fellow Christians in prison.
While on his way, a group of pagan youths were playing a game and they called Tarcisius to join them. Tarcisius declined and attempted to proceed on his mission. However, the boys got suspicious and demanded to know what Tarcisius was carrying so close to his heart. The boys tried to pry his hands open but Tarcisius wouldn’t let go. Eventually, Tarcisius was beaten violently by the pagan youths and died. Tarcisius truly believed in the real presence of our Lord Jesus in the Eucharist. He gave up his life in order to protect the Eucharist. Saint Tarcisius is the saint of altar servers and acolytes.
Saint Francisco Marto (1908-1919) – Francisco Marto was one of the three children to whom the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared in Fatima. During her visits, the Blessed Virgin Mary asked the children to pray the rosary daily and to make sacrifices for the conversion of sinners. Francisco had a devotion to what he called “the hidden Jesus;” i.e., Jesus hidden in the Eucharist. Oftentimes, Francisco would be in church even when he should have been in school!
He went and stayed in the church in order to comfort and console Jesus, because he was aware of so many people committing so many sins. Francisco’s favorite place to pray was by the altar in order to be physically close to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Francisco loved to remain in the real presence of our Lord Jesus; he loved to console Jesus in the Eucharist by being in His presence.
Mother Teresa (1910-1997) – Mother Teresa had a special devotion to the Eucharist. The nuns of the Missionaries of Charity were busy every minute of the day, taking care of the poorest of the poor in Calcutta. However, Mother Teresa and her nuns took time off to observe a holy hour every day, because the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist was the source of their spiritual strength.
Mother Teresa said: “When you look at the crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you then; when you look at the Eucharist, you understand how much Jesus loves you now.” You may or may not agree with what Mother Teresa said, but for her, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is more than just a spiritual exercise. Putting herself before the real presence of Christ before the Eucharist allowed her to receive and cherish the great love which Jesus gives to those who seek Him and remain in His presence.
Blessed Carlo Acutis (1991-2006) – Carlo had a great devotion to the Eucharist; he is most known for his website www.carloacutis.com where he documented all known Eucharistic miracles across the world per country. Carlo died of leukemia at the age of fifteen, but his devotion to the Eucharist inspired many people all over the world.