St Thomas the Apostle

 

St. Thomas was a Jew, called to be one of the twelve Apostles. He was a dedicated but impetuous follower of Christ. When Jesus said that He was returning to Judea to visit His sick friend Lazarus, Thomas immediately exhorted the other Apostle to accompany Him on the trip, which involved certain danger and possible death because of the mounting hostility of the authorities. At the Last Supper, when Christ told His Apostles that he was going to prepare a place for them to which they also might come because they knew both the place and the way, Thomas pleaded that they did not understand and received the beautifully assurance that Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

 

But St. Thomas is best known for his role in verifying the Resurrection of his Master. Thomas’ unwillingness to believe that the other Apostles had seen their risen Lord on the first Easter Sunday merited for him the titles “doubting Thomas’. Eight days later, on Christ’s second apparition, Thomas was gently rebuked for his skepticism and furnished with the evidence he had demanded – seeing in Christ’s hands the point of the nails and being able to put his hand into his side. At this, St. Thomas became convinced of the truth of the Resurrection and exclaimed “My Lord and my God,” thus making a public profession of faith in the divinity of Jesus.

 

Tradition says that at the dispersal of the Apostles after Pentecost this Saint was sent to evangelize the Parthians Medes, and Persians; he ultimately reached India, carrying the faith to the Malabar coast, which still boasts a large native population calling themselves “Christians of St. Thomas.” He capped his life by shedding his blood for his Master, speared to death at a place called Calamine.

 

St Thomas the Apostle was the patron saint of Governor Thomas Velez Capuchin. In the Abiquiu Land Grant documents, which established that a church would be built in Abiquiu for the Genizaros, it was this saint that was picked for the church.

 

Feast Day July 3 – however it is celebrated in Abiquiu on the third Saturday in November. This fiesta recognizes Abiquiu’s Indian heritage with Indian dancing and celebrations.