Today, the Church remembers St. Thomas the Apostle, who was was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus.
Ora pro nobis.
Thomas was born in 1st century AD Galilee, Israel, then a part of the Roman Empire (and again now in present-day Israel) and died on 21 December 72 AD in Parangimalai, Chennai, Chola Empire (present-day St. Thomas Mount, Tamil Nadu, India). “Thoma” means twin, so he has an unnamed twin brother, and his given name was Judah, or Jude.
Thomas is sometimes referred to as "Doubting Thomas" because he doubted Jesus' resurrection when he was first told by the other apostles (in the Gospel of John account only). When he finally later saw Jesus, who told him to touch him, and place his fingers into his scars of crucifixion, Thomas fell to his knees and proclaimed the great confession of faith, "My Lord and my God!”
Traditionally, Thomas is believed to have travelled outside the Roman Empire to preach the Gospel, travelling as far as Tamilakam, India, which are the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala in present-day India. According to tradition, Thomas reached Muziris, (modern-day North Paravur and Kodungalloor in the state of Kerala, India) in AD 50 and baptized several people, founding what today are known as Saint Thomas Christians or Mar Thoma Nazranis. After his death, the reputed relics of Saint Thomas the Apostle were enshrined as far as Mesopotamia in the 3rd century, and later moved to various places. In 1258 AD, some of the relics were brought to Abruzzo in Ortona, Italy, where they have been held in the Church of Saint Thomas the Apostle. He is often regarded as the Patron Saint of India, and the name Thoma remains quite popular among Saint Thomas Christians of India.
Everliving God, who strengthened your apostle Thomas with firm and certain faith in your Son’s resurrection: Grant us so perfectly and without doubt to believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God, that our faith may never be found wanting in your sight; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
