St. Thomas, called Didymus, that is “the twin,” was probably a Galilean of lowly condition and a fisherman. He was chosen to be one of the apostles in the year 31, as can be determined for the mention of his name in the catalogue of the apostles in St. Matthew. He is reputed to have been slow of understanding and little acquainted with secular learning. When Jesus was about to go to the neighborhood of Jerusalem in order to raise Lazarus from the dead the other apostles tried to dissuade Him, lest the Jews stone Him. But in his enthusiastic love St. Thomas exclaimed, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him!”

Again, it was at the Last Supper that the Savior said: “And whither I go you know, and the way you know.” To this Thomas, burning with an ardent desire to follow the Master said, “Lord, we know not whither Thou goest; and how can we know the way?” To which Our Lord replied with the beautiful words, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father but by Me.” In the Gospel for today the response of Jesus to the doubt which Thomas had expressed concerning his resurrection is related, with the answer of Thomas, “My Lord and my God.”

St. Thomas is said to have planted the standard of the cross among the Medes, Persians, and neighboring nations. He is called the Apostle of India. He is said to have been slain for the faith at Calamina in India; and there is a legend to the effect that he was executed by the sword or by a lance.

(Source: The New Roman Missal, Rev. F. X. Lasance)