St. Thomas the Apostle is remembered as “doubting Thomas,” but he also made the clearest profession of faith in the Gospels: “My Lord, and my God.” According to an ancient tradition, he carried the Gospel to India, where the St. Thomas Christians still honor him as their father in faith, and died a martyr near Chennai. His feast is July 3. Below are prayers to St. Thomas for those who struggle with doubt, for faith in the Eucharist, for India and for builders, the Gospel of his encounter with the risen Christ, and his story.
“My Lord and my God”
Now Thomas, one of the twelve, who is called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
The other disciples therefore said to him: We have seen the Lord. But he said to them: Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.
And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said: Peace be to you.
Then he saith to Thomas: Put in thy finger hither, and see my hands; and bring hither thy hand, and put it into my side; and be not faithless, but believing.
Thomas answered, and said to him: My Lord, and my God.
Jesus saith to him: Because thou hast seen me, Thomas, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and have believed.
For centuries Catholics have quietly prayed Thomas’s words, “My Lord and my God,” when the priest elevates the Host and the chalice at Mass, as an act of faith in the Real Presence of Christ.
A prayer to St. Thomas the Apostle
Written for this page:
St. Thomas, apostle of Jesus Christ,
you were ready to die with Jesus, you struggled to believe,
and when you saw his wounds you cried, “My Lord and my God.”
Pray for me, that my faith may grow strong,
that I may touch the wounds of Christ in the suffering,
and carry his Gospel wherever he sends me.
Obtain for me the grace I ask: (name your intention). Amen.
A prayer for those who doubt
St. Thomas, you know what it is to doubt.
Pray for (name) and for me when faith is hard.
Give us honesty to bring our questions to Jesus,
patience to wait for his answer,
and the joy of believing without seeing. Amen.
This prayer was written for this page. See why prayer is important.
A prayer for India
St. Thomas, apostle of India,
pray for the Church in India and for all its peoples.
Protect Christians who suffer for their faith,
bless families, the poor and the young,
and bring many to know Jesus as Lord and God. Amen.
This prayer was written for this page.
A prayer for builders and architects
A legend says Thomas was hired as a builder by an Indian king and gave the money for the palace to the poor, telling the king that he was building him a palace in heaven. He is the patron of architects and builders.
St. Thomas, builder of a palace in heaven,
bless all architects, builders and construction workers.
Keep them safe in their work,
and help all of us to build our lives on the rock of Christ. Amen.
This prayer was written for this page.
The life of St. Thomas
Thomas, called Didymus (“the twin”), was one of the Twelve. St. John’s Gospel shows his loyal and honest character. When Jesus decided to return to Judea, where he had nearly been stoned, Thomas said to the others, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” At the Last Supper, when Jesus said the disciples knew the way, Thomas asked, “Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?”, prompting the answer, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” Absent when the risen Jesus first appeared to the apostles, he refused to believe until he could touch the wounds; a week later Jesus appeared again and invited him to do so.
According to the tradition of the St. Thomas Christians of Kerala, Thomas arrived on the southwest coast of India around the year 52, founded communities there, and was martyred by a spear around 72 at Mylapore, near present-day Chennai. The San Thome Basilica stands over his traditional tomb; some of his relics were later taken to Edessa and to Ortona in Italy. The Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara Catholic Churches trace their origins to his preaching.
Feast day and patronage
- Feast day: July 3. In the traditional calendar, and in some Anglican and Lutheran calendars, December 21. A novena can run from June 24 to July 2.
- Patron of: India, architects and builders, construction workers, and those who struggle with doubt.
- Symbols: a spear (his martyrdom), a builder’s square, and his hand touching the side of Christ.
Frequently asked questions
When is the feast of St. Thomas the Apostle?
July 3. Before 1969 it was celebrated on December 21.
Why is he called doubting Thomas?
Because he refused to believe in the Resurrection until he could see and touch the wounds of Jesus. When he did see the risen Lord, he made the great profession “My Lord, and my God.”
What is St. Thomas the patron saint of?
India, architects and builders, and people who struggle with doubt.
Is St. Thomas the Apostle the same as St. Thomas Aquinas?
No. Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) was a Dominican theologian and Doctor of the Church; see the St. Thomas Aquinas prayer.
More prayers
- Eucharistic adoration prayers
- St. Peter prayer
- St. Francis Xavier prayer
- Divine Mercy chaplet
- Prayers to popular saints
- Saint feast days
Texts and sources
- Scripture: John 20:24–29; John 11:16; John 14:5–6, Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), public domain.
- Acts of Thomas (third century), for the legend of the palace.
- The prayers were written for this page.