Feast of Saint Thomas the Apostle

(1st Century)

St. Thomas the Apostle was one of the twelve disciples who accompanied Jesus during His earthly ministry. He is remembered for his disbelief in the news of Christ’s Resurrection until he physically saw and touched Jesus’ wounds—thus earning him the name “Doubting Thomas.” After Pentecost he traveled and preached throughout Persia and southeast Asia. Early traditions ascribe his main work and martyrdom to India, so that he is also called the “Apostle of India.” He converted many to Christ, worked miracles, and established the Church in the East. One tradition holds that on his way to India he met and baptized the Three Wise Men of the Nativity who first venerated Jesus at Bethlehem. St. Thomas is also remembered for being a skilled carpenter, and according to Indian tradition he built the first churches in India with his own hands. St. Thomas the Apostle is the patron of India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Singapore, architects, builders, masons, surveyors, theologians, against blindness, and of people in doubt.

His feast day is July 3rd.

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Jesus said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring you hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.'”

cf. Gospel of John 20:27

When the Apostles first met the resurrected Lord, Thomas was missing. ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.’ When Jesus next appeared, it was with a special invitation to Thomas: Probe the marks of the nails, press your hands into my side. Face to face with this fleshly testimony, Thomas exclaimed, ‘My Lord and my God!’ [God’s] clemency acted in this wonderful way so that through the doubting disciple touching the wounds in his Master’s body, our own wounds of incredulity may be healed.”

Saint Gregory the Great (d. 604 A.D.)

St. Gregory the Great was one of the most important popes and influential writers of the Middle Ages.

Saint Thomas, Apostle and Defender of the Resurrection, pray for us.

Be not afraid!  And may the peace of Christ be with you and your loved ones today and always.  Holy Family pray for us.  Amen.