Our Patron Saint

St Thomas was one of Christ’s twelve apostles. His name is mentioned by all four gospel writers. He was also called Didymus which means “the twin”

A careful study of the bible gives us certain insight about St Thomas

Like an inquisitive child, he repetitively asked questions. And, his wonderful profession, “My Lord and my God,” is the clearest declaration of Jesus’ divinity in Holy Scripture.

Brave St Thomas

When Jesus said of his plan of visiting the sisters of Lazarus in Judea, Some apostles said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?

Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. 10 It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”

After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”

His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.

So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

Thomas said to his fellow disciples: “Let us also go, that we may die with him” St John 11:16. St Thomas, in a moment of bravery not often expressed by the Apostles before Pentecost, reunited the others to stay by their Master Jesus Christ to all the unseen happenings of the future.

Doubting Thomas

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

Jesus Appears to Thomas

Now Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

A week later his disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

Missionary journey to India

St. Thomas who came to India in 52 A.D. Saint Thomas is venerated as the Apostle of India.

St Thomas offered to build a palace for the Indian king that would last forever. The king gave him money, which Thomas gave to the poor. Asked to show his progress, St. Thomas explained that the palace he was building was in heaven, not on earth. Ultimately, after giving into God’s will, Thomas was freed from slavery. He planted seeds for the new Church, forming many parishes and building many churches along the way.

According to tradition, Saint Thomas was allegedly killed at St. Thomas Mount, near Chennai, in 72A.D and his body was entombed in Mylapore.