July 3
Saint Thomas the Apostle
“Apostle of India”
(1st Century-72)
“Lord, we do not know where we are going. How can we know the way?”
Saint Thomas the Apostle
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Saint’s Life Story
His Early Life
Thomas was one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus Christ. Thomas was probably born in Galilee, a region in ancient Israel, in the early first century to a humble family, but there is no indication that he was a fisherman. He was a Jew, but there is no account of how he became an apostle to Christ.
The name Thomas given for the apostle in the New Testament in Syriac means “Twin” while the Greek equivalent is “Didymus” which is why he is sometimes referred as “Didymus the Twin.”
Believer
In John’s gospel, Jesus explained that Lazarus is dead. However, Thomas bravely encouraged all to go to Bethany with Jesus, even if it meant death for them while stating “Let us also go to die with him” (Jn 11:16)
Last Supper
Thomas was a man who relentlessly sought the Truth. Like an inquisitive child, he constantly asked questions.
Earlier, when Jesus told his disciples, “I go to prepare a place for you. And I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may also be. And you know the way where I’m going.”
At the Last Supper, Thomas said to Jesus, “Lord, we do not know where we are going. How can we know the way?“
Jesus replied that “He is the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:3-7).
Doubting Thomas
Thomas is remembered for his doubt that Christ had actually risen from the dead. To the apostles, Thomas stated “Unless I see the mark of the nails in His hands and put my finger into the nailmarks, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe” (Luke 20:25).
Eight days later, Christ appeared to Thomas and said, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and bring your hand and put it into my side. And be not faithless, but believing.”
Thomas fell at His feet, saying, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus replied, “Because you have seen me, Thomas, you believed. Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet believe” (Luke 20:27-29).
This incident gave rise to the expression “a doubting Thomas.”
Missionary in India
It is not known for sure where Thomas conducted his missionary activity after Pentecost. Some claim he evangelized among the Parthians, Medes and Persians. But, the most widely accepted account holds he carried the gospel to India, preaching there. The Acta Thomae say that when the apostles divided up the world for their missionary labors, India fell to Thomas. He said he was not healthy enough and that a Hebrew could not teach Indians; even a vision of Christ could not change his mind.
Christ then appeared to the merchant Abban and sold Thomas to him as a slave for his master, King Gundafor who ruled over part of India. When Thomas discovered this he said, “As you will, Lord, so be it.”
At the court in India, Thomas, having admitted that he was a carpenter and builder, was ordered to build a palace. While the king was absent, however, Thomas did not build any buildings. Instead, Thomas used the money given to him by the king for charitable purposes.
When the king returned, he imprisoned him, intending to flay him alive. At that point, the king’s brother died, and when the brother was shown the place in heaven that Thomas’s good works had prepared for the king, he was allowed to return to earth and offer to buy the spot from the king for himself. The king refused, released Thomas, and was converted by him.
Revered in India
In India, Thomas preached the Good News, performed miracles, and established Christian communities. Thomas preached not only in Kerala but also in Tamil Nadu and other parts of Southern India.
For that reason, Thomas is revered highly in India, bringing them the early Church and teachings of Christ. To this day, they boast as being “Christians of St. Thomas”. There exists a population of Christians along the Malabar Coast who were supposedly originally converted by Thomas. Their tradition holds that Thomas built seven churches there in Kerala at Kodungallur, Palayoor, Kottakkavu (Paravur), Kokkamangalam, Niranam, Nilackal (Chayal), Kollam, and Thiruvithamcode.
Thomas’s also had an alleged visit to China that is mentioned in books and church traditions of Saint Thomas Christians in India.
His Death
Then, Thomas passed eastward in India to the Coromandel Coast. Around 72, while in prayer on a hill (now called St Thomas Mount) close to Madras, India, Thomas was martyred by a stabbing with a spear. He was buried at Mylapore, now a suburb of that city. However, around 384, the bulk of his relics were moved to Edessa, Mesopotamia (Syria) where Thomas is venerated in the Catholic and Orthodox churches.
In 1523, the Saint Thomas Cathedral Basilica in Santhome, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India was built over his tomb where his bones and the spear that killed him are enshrined.
Saint Thomas was declared the “Apostle of India” by Pope Paul VI in 1972.
Born: Early 1st Century mostly likely in Galilee, Israel
Died: Around 72 near Madras, (now Chennai) India
Beatified: Pre-Congregation
Canonized: Pre-Congregation
Feast Day: July 3
Reflection
Saint Thomas the Apostle, often remembered by the name “Doubting Thomas,” gives us a profound lesson in the journey from uncertainty to faith. When the risen Christ appeared to the disciples, Thomas was not present and refused to believe without physical proof. Yet when Jesus invited him to touch His wounds, Thomas responded with a powerful act of faith: “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). Rather than condemn him, Jesus met Thomas where he was and gently invited him to believe. This encounter reminds us that God does not turn away from our questions; instead, He uses them as stepping stones toward deeper faith and personal transformation. Later, Saint Thomas carried the Gospel far beyond Jerusalem, according to tradition reaching as far as India, where he is still honored as the “Apostle of India”. His story shows how someone once uncertain can become a bold witness to the truth, even to the ends of the earth.
Have you ever hesitated to believe or trust in God’s presence during a difficult time? How might God be inviting you, like Saint Thomas, to move from doubt to deeper faith and personal transformation?
Prayers
Saint Thomas the Apostle,
You who were once filled with doubt, but through God’s mercy and love, you were granted the grace to see and touch the risen Christ.
Intercede for us, dear Apostle, that our hearts may be open to believe without seeing, to trust in Christ’s promises even in times of darkness or confusion.
Like your declaration — “My Lord and my God!” , may we became a bold witness of faith proclaiming His love with conviction, wherever we are called.
Saint Thomas the Apostle, pray for us! Amen.
Saint Links
Aleteia – Why St. Thomas the Apostle is the patron saint of Afghanistan
All Saints & Martyrs – Saint Thomas the Apostle
America Needs Fatima – Saint Thomas the Apostle
AnaStpaul – Feast of St Thomas, Apostle of Christ, Martyr – 3 July
Angelus – Saint of the day: Thomas the Apostle
Catholic Culture – St. Thomas
Catholic Exchange – St. Thomas the Apostle
Catholic Insight – Pope Benedict and Saint Thomas the Apostle By Pope Benedict XVI
Catholic Ireland – Jul 3 – St Thomas, (1st century) Apostle
Catholic News Agency – St. Thomas, Apostle Feast day: Jul 03
Catholic News World – Saint Thomas the Apostle
Catholic Online – St. Thomas
CatholicSaints.Info – Saint Thomas the Apostle
Daily Prayers – Thomas The Apostle
Dynamic Catholic – Saint Thomas the Apostle
Editions Magnificat – Saint Thomas Apostle and Martyr († First Century)
Franciscan Media – Saint Thomas
Independent Catholic News – St Thomas
Loyola Press – Saint Thomas Feast Day July 3
My Catholic Life – July 3: Saint Thomas the Apostle
New Advent – Thurston, H. (1912). St. Thomas the Apostle. In The Catholic Encyclopedia
Newman Connection – Saint Thomas the Apostle
Rev Butler’s Lives Of The Saints Complete Edition – St. Thomas, Apostle
Saint Mary’s Press – Saint Thomas the Apostle (1st century)
Saints Alive – St. Thomas the Apostle
St. Thomas the Apostle in India by Dcruz, F.A
The Saint Challenge – St. Thomas the Apostle – July 3
Video Link
Cradio Saint of the Day: Saint Thomas the Apostle – YouTube (CatholicSaints.Info)