Thomas was devoted to serving as an apostle for the Lord. When Jesus heard that he was going back to Judea, he told the other apostles right once, "Let us also go, that we may die with him" (Jn 11: 16). Judea was a dangerous region because of the growing hostility of the local authorities.

However, despite this resolve, Thomas not only showed himself to be too frail to support Jesus at his crucifixion, but he also expressed skepticism about the Lord's Resurrection upon hearing about it from the other apostles. "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe," he said, refuting their account (Jn 20:25).

Following a week, Christ appeared to Thomas and commanded him to "put your finger here to see my hands, bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe." Thomas cried out, "My Lord and my God!" as soon as he had done so.

Pope Benedict XVI discussed St. Thomas during his general audience on September 27, 2006, noting that we might learn from his misgivings, which demonstrate "that Jesus can now be recognized by his wounds rather than by his face."

The Pope stated three main reasons why the Apostle Thomas case is significant to us. First, because it gives us comfort in our insecurities; second, because it demonstrates that every doubt can result in a better outcome than any uncertainty; and third, because the words that Jesus spoke to him remind us of what mature faith really means and inspire us to press on through trials to follow him.

It is customarily held that St. Thomas proclaimed the Good News to Persians and Medes following Pentecost, until arriving in India, where he evangelized before being crucified in 72 A.D.

July 3rd is St. Thomas's feast day. He is revered as the patron saint of architects and builders.

Other Saints of the Day
Saint Dathus
Saint Anatolius of Laodicea
Saint Hyacinth of Caesarea
Saint Maelmuire O' Gorman
Saint Phocas the Gardener