St. Dismas, the Good Thief: Patron Saint of Thieves

St. Dismas is the “Good Thief,” the criminal crucified beside Jesus who repented in his last hour and heard the most consoling promise in the Gospels: “This day thou shalt be with me in paradise.” He is sometimes called the only saint canonized by Jesus Himself, and the Church honors him as the patron saint of thieves, of prisoners and the condemned, and of every sinner who turns to God at the last moment. Below are his story from the Gospel of Luke, where the name Dismas comes from, what he is the patron of, and prayers to St. Dismas for prisoners, for a conversion and for a happy death.

A short prayer to St. Dismas, written for this page:

St. Dismas, you stole heaven at the last moment by trusting in Jesus.
Pray for me, a sinner, and for all who are far from God,
that we may turn to Him in time and hear His promise of paradise. Amen.

The Good Thief in the Gospel

Two criminals were crucified with Jesus on Calvary, one on His right and one on His left. St. Luke tells what happened (Luke 23:39–43, Douay-Rheims):

And one of those robbers who were hanged, blasphemed him, saying: If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
But the other answering, rebuked him, saying: Neither dost thou fear God, seeing thou art condemned under the same condemnation?
And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this man hath done no evil.
And he said to Jesus: Lord, remember me when thou shalt come into thy kingdom.
And Jesus said to him: Amen I say to thee, this day thou shalt be with me in paradise.

In a few words the Good Thief did everything a repentant sinner must do: he feared God, admitted his guilt, defended the innocent Jesus, believed that Jesus was a king whose kingdom lay beyond death, and asked for mercy. The Catechism recalls Christ’s promise to him when it teaches about the judgment each soul meets immediately after death (CCC 1021). His story shows that it is never too late to turn to God.

Where does the name Dismas come from?

The Gospels do not name the two thieves. The name Dismas (or Dysmas) comes from an early Christian writing, the Gospel of Nicodemus or Acts of Pilate, which calls the good thief Dysmas and the other Gestas. Other traditions gave him other names, and a medieval legend says he had once spared the Holy Family when they fled into Egypt. The Roman Martyrology remembers him on March 25, the traditional date of the crucifixion.

What is St. Dismas the patron saint of?

St. Dismas is the patron saint of:

Thieves, and all who have done wrong and want to change
Prisoners, especially those condemned to death
Prison chaplains and prison ministries
Funeral directors, since he died at Jesus’ side
Repentant sinners and deathbed conversions

In the United States, the Church of St. Dismas, the Good Thief, was built by prisoners inside the walls of the Clinton Correctional Facility at Dannemora, New York, in 1941, and many prison ministries bear his name.

Prayers to St. Dismas

Written for this page.

For prisoners

St. Dismas, you knew the shame of punishment and found mercy at Jesus’ side.
Pray for all who are in prison: give them repentance and hope,
protect them from violence and despair,
comfort their families, and help them to begin a new life. Amen.

For someone far from God

St. Dismas, pray for (name), who has turned away from God.
As you turned to Jesus at the last moment, may (he/she) turn to Him now,
and find the mercy that is waiting. Amen.

For a happy death

Lord Jesus, as you promised paradise to the Good Thief,
remember me when you come into your kingdom.
Grant me true sorrow for my sins and the grace to die in your friendship. Amen.

See also the prayer for a happy death and the Act of Contrition.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the patron saint of thieves?

St. Dismas, the Good Thief, crucified with Jesus.

Who is the patron saint of prisoners?

St. Dismas is the patron of prisoners and the condemned. St. Leonard of Noblac and St. Joseph Cafasso, who ministered to prisoners, are also invoked.

When is the feast of St. Dismas?

March 25 in the Roman Martyrology.

Did the Good Thief go to heaven?

Yes. Jesus promised him, “This day thou shalt be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).

More prayers

Texts and sources

Luke 23:39–43 (Douay-Rheims).