Saint of the day, July 3
St. Thomas' encounter with the risen Christ transformed him from a doubter into a missionary and martyr.
July 3: Saint Thomas the Apostle
Born: 1st century, Galilee
Died: c. A.D. 72, India
Nationality: Jewish
Vocation / State: Apostle, missionary, martyr
Attributes: Builder's square, touching Christ's side
Patronage: Architects; Christians in India
Canonization: Pre-Congregation
St. Thomas the Apostle's journey from doubt to unwavering faith is one of the most well-known stories in the Gospels. His encounter with the risen Christ transformed him into a courageous missionary who carried the Gospel far beyond the Roman Empire.
After Jesus rose from the dead, Thomas struggled to believe the other apostles' testimony. When the risen Lord appeared to him and invited him to see His wounds, Thomas responded with one of the clearest professions of faith in Scripture: "My Lord and my God!" From that moment on, he followed Christ with renewed conviction.
According to ancient Christian tradition, Thomas traveled east, eventually reaching India, where he preached the Gospel, baptized new believers, and helped establish Christian communities. He continued preaching the Gospel until he was eventually martyred for his faith.
St. Thomas reminds us that God is not afraid of our questions. When we bring them to Him with an open heart, He can strengthen our faith, deepen our trust, and lead us to become faithful witnesses of His love.
St. Thomas the Apostle, pray for us!
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