Christian Men and Women

Saint Thomas the Apostle

Thomas was one of Jesus' twelve Apostles. Often Thomas acted without really thinking and sometimes this got him into trouble. It is thought that once he said that he was willing to face up to all kinds of danger and even die in order to be with Jesus.

When the Apostles had seen Jesus, after he had risen from the dead at Easter Thomas was not there. The other Apostles told Thomas that they had seen Jesus but Thomas refused to believe them. It is because of this that Thomas is known as 'Thomas the Doubter' or 'Doubting Thomas'. Jesus came back a second time to prove to Thomas that he had risen from the dead and after that Thomas had no more doubts.

After Jesus ascended into heaven Thomas travelled very far in order to preach about the life of his friend Jesus. He travelled East and as far as India where some Christians living there today call themselves Christians of Saint Thomas.

The virtues that Thomas displayed throughout his life were Prudence, Courage (Fortitude), Faith and Hope.