14 All eyes turned to him, and Tarcisius stood up straight. “Precisely,” he said calmly. “My youth will offer the best shield for the Eucharist. I won’t interest them. What could they confiscate from me?” A Great Honor The priest stifled a sigh. Tarcisius was right, alas! It was money that the emperor wanted above everything. He wrapped in a white cloth the little piece of bread that had become the Body of Christ at the celebration of the Eucharist. “Go and take Jesus to our brothers,” he said quietly, handing the little package to Tarcisius. The child hid the precious parcel under his tunic, pressed close to his heart. He was happy. He received the Eucharist as often as possible, but this was the first time that he had been entrusted with the honor of carrying God with him! Then the priest added, “I don’t need to tell you that you have to be extremely cautious.” Tarcisius smiled at him. He put the folds of his clothes back in place to hide the discreet bump of Jesus against his heart. “I would rather be killed than let someone attack Jesus,” he replied. In Good Company The priest made a final announcement: Tomorrow’s assembly would take place at the home of Lawrence, a Christian who lived in another part of town. It was safer to change locations for each meeting. The Christians left through the gallery to go back into the open air. Tarcisius and the priest came out last. “Which route will you take to go to the prison?” the priest asked the young boy. “Via Appia! It is the shortest path,” Tarcisius answered. “Avoid any encounters. I don’t like advising you to be suspicious, but you will be alone, so—” “Alone?” Tarcisius repeated with a little grin, pointing to the place where he was hiding Jesus. “I have never walked in such good company!”
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