The Feast of Saint Thomas

Apostle (First Century)

His life

+ All that we know for certain about Thomas comes from the New Testament. He is mentioned as one of the Twelve Apostles in all four gospels and his nicknamed Didymus, “the twin,” in John’s Gospel.

+ It was “doubting” Thomas who refused to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead until he had seen him with his own eyes and put his finger into his wounds; this prompted Jesus’ response, “Doubt no longer, but believe,” to which Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God.”

+ According to tradition, Thomas preached the Gospel in Persia and India, where he was martyred.

+ Saint Thomas is honored as the patron of architects and builders. He is also a patron saint of India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, and Sri Lanka.

+ A community of Syriac Christians in Kerala, India, trace their origins to the preaching of Saint Thomas. They are commonly known as “St. Thomas Christians.”

For prayer and reflection

“Meeting them, Jesus did not give a long sermon. To them, who were wounded within, he shows his own wounds. Thomas can now touch them and know of Jesus’ love and how much Jesus had suffered for him, even though he had abandoned him. In those wounds, he touches with his hands God’s tender closeness. Thomas arrived late, but once he received mercy, he overtook the other disciples: he believed not only in the resurrection, but in the boundless love of God. And he makes the most simple and beautiful profession of faith: ‘My Lord and my God!’ Here is the resurrection of the disciple: it is accomplished when his frail and wounded humanity enters into that of Jesus. There, every doubt is resolved; there, God becomes my God; there, we begin to accept ourselves and to love life as it is.”—Pope Francis

Prayer

Grant, almighty God,
that we may glory in the Feast of the blessed Apostle Thomas,
so that we may always be sustained by his intercession
and, believing, may have life
in the name of Jesus Christ your Son,
whom Thomas acknowledged as the Lord.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal)

Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.