Saint of the Day: Thomas the Apostle

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St. Thomas the Apostle
Feast Day: July 3
Named among the Twelve Apostles in all four Gospels, Thomas figured prominently in several stories in John.

Martyrdom of St Thomas by Peter Paul Rubens (Wikimedia Commons PD/USA)
Martyrdom of St Thomas by Peter Paul Rubens (Wikimedia Commons PD/USA)

He said he was ready to die with Jesus, that he didn’t know where Jesus was going and so couldn’t follow, and famously doubted a post-Resurrection appearance until he himself saw the risen Lord.
For this, history has called him “doubting Thomas,” but his name remains among the most popular Christian names.
Four apocryphal writings were attributed to Thomas, and in church tradition he evangelized in Syria, Persia (now Iran) and India.
Indian Catholics believe he was martyred and buried there.
Thomas is the patron saint of India, builders and the blind.