Patron Saint - St. Thomas the Apostle

Thomas was one of “The Twelve” apostles chosen by Jesus (set apart from all the other disciples) – not merely to serve Him in His earthly ministry, but for all time. Upon Jesus’ ascension to heaven, Thomas (as one of the remaining eleven) was specifically commissioned to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to observe all he had commanded them. As one of those eleven, Thomas was “one sent.”

Though he doubted, Thomas also believed. Best remembered for doubting the Resurrection until allowed to touch Christ’s wounds, he made what is certainly the most explicit statement of faith in the New Testament: “My Lord and My God!” (John 20:24-28) In so expressing his faith, Thomas gave Christians a prayer that will be said till the end of time.

Thomas also occasioned a compliment from Jesus to all later Christians: “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed” (John 20:29).

Thomas should be equally well known for his courage. Perhaps what he said was impetuous—since he ran, like the rest, at the showdown—but he can scarcely have been insincere when he expressed his willingness to die with Jesus. The occasion was when Jesus proposed to go to Bethany after Lazarus had died. Since Bethany was near Jerusalem, this meant walking into the very midst of his enemies and to almost certain death. Realizing this, Thomas said to the other apostles, “Let us also go to die with him” (John 11:16b).

During the Last Supper, after Jesus had just told The Twelve he was going to prepare a place for them in his Father’s house he added – “Where I am going, you know the way.”  Thomas was honest enough to reply “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus’ memorable response – at the core of our Faith – was “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:2-6)

Though not scripturally based, it is thought that Thomas preached in Parthia, Persia and India. The story goes he was so reluctant to start the mission that he had to be taken into slavery by a merchant headed that way.* He eventually gave in to God‘s will, was freed, and planted the new Church over a wide area, forming many parishes and building many churches along the way.

Symbols associated with Thomas are the builder’s square and the spear. 

Also known as:

• Apostle of India
• Didymus
• Doubting Thomas
• Judas Thomas
• the Twin

• stabbed with a spear in c.72 while in prayer on a hill in Mylapur, India
• buried near the site of his death
• relics later moved to Edessa, Mesopotamia
• relics moved to Ortona, Italy in the 13th century