Sant Thomas School – Jabalpur India

St. Thomas the Apostle

Thomas was probably born in Galilee to a humble family. He was a Jew and the eighth apostle of Jesus among the twelve. Thomas is often condemned for his lack of belief, but he was equally courageous, willing to stand by Jesus in dangerous times. He also relentlessly sought the Truth. Like an inquisitive child, he constantly asked questions. And, his wonderful profession, “My Lord and my God,” is the clearest declaration of Jesus’ divinity in Holy Scripture.

Thomas was a Loyal Follower of Jesus as he said, “Let us also go, that we may die with him” (Jn. 11:16). He, in a moment of bravery not often expressed by the Apostles before Pentecost, rallied the others to stay by their Master come what may.

He was a Inquisitive Student of Jesus. With the keenness typical of the Twelve, he misunderstands Jesus’ reference to His death and resurrection. Thomas’ question provides Jesus an opportunity to teach one of the most profound and difficult truths of His ministry. Jesus said to Thomas: (John 14:6) “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

St. Thomas is remembered for being absent from the Upper Room the first time Jesus appeared to the disciples after His Resurrection. Thomas dismissed the accounts of the others by saying, “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”(Luke 20:25). Eight days later Thomas made his act of faith. He fell at the feet of Jesus and said, “My Lord and my God!” and Jesus replied, “Because you have seen me, Thomas, you believed. Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet believe” (John 20:25-29).

Accounts of Thomas’ missionary activities are widely accepted that he preached in India. To this day, Saint Thomas is venerated as the Apostle of India. In fact, there exists a population of Christians along the Malabar Coast, on the western coast of India, who lay claim to conversion by St. Thomas. Their tradition holds that he built seven churches, was martyred during prayer by a spearing on the “Big Hill” near Madras, and was buried in Mylapore, on the east coast of India. The feast day of St. Thomas in Roman and Syrian Catholic churches is celebrated on July, 3 every year.