FEAST OF SAINT THOMAS, APOSTLE AND MARTYR – 3rd JULY
July 3, 2026
Hebrews 12:14
July 3, 2026
HONEST DOUBT CAN BECOME HOLY FAITH
“Jesus said to him, ‘Do not be unbelieving, but believe.”
— John 20:27
Thomas teaches us that doubt is not always the opposite of faith. At first, he found it difficult to believe the testimony of the other disciples about the Resurrection and desired to see the Lord’s wounds for himself. Yet when the Risen Christ appeared and invited him to touch His wounds, Thomas responded with one of the greatest professions of faith in the Gospel: “My Lord and my God!” His sincere search for truth brought him closer to Christ, and his doubt became unshakable faith. The Lord welcomes every sincere heart that seeks Him with humility and trust.
Christ is never threatened by our honest questions. When we bring our doubts into His presence instead of turning away from Him, He transforms uncertainty into deeper faith and lasting conviction.
CHRIST NEVER WASTES OUR WOUNDS
“He showed them His hands and His side.”
— John 20:20
Jesus did not hide the wounds of His Passion from Thomas. Instead, He revealed them as signs of His victory over sin and death. Those sacred wounds, once symbols of suffering, became the proof of His glorious Resurrection. Thomas encountered the mercy of Christ through those wounds, and his life was forever changed. In the same way, Christ can use our deepest hurts to heal us and to strengthen the faith of others.
When we place our wounds into the hands of Christ, they become channels of His grace. What once caused pain can become a powerful witness to His mercy and redeeming love.
THE GREATEST CONFESSION IS BORN FROM A PERSONAL ENCOUNTER
“Thomas answered Him, “My Lord and my God!.”
— John 20:28
Thomas had listened to the teachings of Jesus and witnessed His miracles, but his greatest confession of faith came only after meeting the Risen Lord personally. That encounter transformed him from a hesitant disciple into a fearless Apostle. Tradition tells us that this faith carried him across distant lands to preach Christ with courage and conviction.
Faith grows strongest through a personal relationship with Jesus. Every encounter with Him, especially in the Holy Eucharist, invites us to renew Thomas’s heartfelt prayer: “My Lord and my God.
THE GOSPEL MUST ALWAYS GO BEYOND FAMILIAR SHORES
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”
— Matthew 28:19
After receiving the Holy Spirit, Thomas did not remain where faith was comfortable. According to ancient Christian tradition, he travelled through Persia and eventually reached India, courageously proclaiming the Gospel despite hardships and opposition. He preached Christ, baptized believers, established Christian communities, and ordained leaders to continue the mission of the Church.
A heart that has truly encountered Christ cannot keep Him to itself. Divine love always reaches beyond every boundary to bring others into the saving love of God.
GOD TURNS OUR GREATEST WEAKNESS INTO OUR GREATEST MISSION
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”
— 2 Corinthians 12:9
Thomas is often remembered for his moment of doubt, but God remembered him for his steadfast faith and faithful witness. The disciple who once struggled to believe became the courageous Apostle who inspired countless people to embrace the Gospel. He remained faithful to Christ until he gave his life as a martyr, traditionally believed to have been pierced with a spear near Mylapore in India.
When we surrender our weaknesses to God, He transforms them into instruments of His glory and uses them to accomplish His saving work.
INDIA BECAME HOLY GROUND THROUGH THE GOSPEL
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
— Romans 10:15
According to the ancient tradition of the Church, Thomas arrived on the Malabar Coast of India and proclaimed the Gospel with zeal. He established Christian communities, celebrated the Eucharist, baptized many converts, and laid the foundations of what is today known as the St. Thomas Christian community. His faithful mission sanctified the land through the living presence of Christ.
The Kingdom of God grows quietly through faithful witnesses. One disciple, completely surrendered to Christ, can transform the spiritual future of countless generations.
SEEING IS NOT GREATER THAN BELIEVING
“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
— John 20:29
Thomas desired to see before he believed, but after encountering the Risen Lord he became a fearless witness to the Resurrection. Jesus declared a special blessing upon all who would believe without seeing. Thomas himself spent the rest of his life proclaiming this truth to those who had never seen Christ with their own eyes, inviting them to believe through faith.
Every act of faith draws us closer to eternal life. One day, like Thomas, faith will give way to sight as we behold the Risen Lord face to face in His everlasting glory.
PRAYER THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE
O glorious St. Thomas, faithful Apostle of the Lord and beloved Apostle of India, you journeyed from doubt to unwavering faith and from questioning to courageous witness.
Pray for us, that our moments of uncertainty may always lead us closer to Christ and never away from Him. Help us to seek the truth with sincere hearts and to proclaim with confidence, “My Lord and my God!”
Strengthen our faith, deepen our love for the Holy Eucharist, and obtain for us the courage to bear witness to the Gospel in our homes, our communities, and wherever the Lord sends us.
Bless the Church in India, which was nourished by your apostolic labours, and help all Christians to remain steadfast in faith, rich in holiness, and joyful in missionary zeal.
When our earthly pilgrimage is complete, lead us into the eternal presence of the Risen Lord, where we shall see Him face to face and praise Him forever. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Thomas the Apostle, Apostle of India, fearless missionary, and faithful martyr, pray for us.
