The apostle St Thomas

     St Anne Catherine Emmerich, had a vision of our Blessed Mother's death. She recounts the Holy Spirit going to each Apostle to warn them of Her leaving so that they would be with Her at that memorable moment. Thomas was in India. He quickly set out for Ephesus. Anne Catherine Emmerich says, " Thomas was of stocky build and had copper - brown hair. He was the farthest away of all, and did not arrive until after Mary's death. He resolved to go further north. All the way to Tartary, which he could not bring himself to abandon this plan; he always wanted to do much, and he often arrived late. There, in Russian territory, he received a new admonition and hastened to Ephesus. Thomas did not return to Tartary after Mary's death. He was struck down by a spear in India".

   I've always wondered about the great Assumption of Mary and Her death. Just who exactly got to be with Her when She died. St Thomas was a beloved Disciple of Jesus. He like all of the Apostles, was so relatable. Ordinary people, who were chosen by God to follow and witness first hand, the Christ. The Redeemer. The True Messiah. I'm sure his episode with doubt, taught him a great lesson of trust in our Lord. Sometimes that's how it has to happen. But the result is so much sweeter. 

     God, and all of His lessons that He teaches us, are for His greater purposes. I love Saint Thomas, because in his humiliation of not believing, believed. He clung to that forgiveness of Jesus's love tighter than ever, so the words he proclaimed from that moment on were given with much more zeal and passion. He may mostly be remembered as the doubting Apostle, but let us also remember him as one of the greatest saints that ever lived and a true Apostle of Jesus. 

     St Thomas, help us to believe when our tests of unbelief appear. Feel our wounds and ask Jesus to heal them. We love you great Apostle. Intercede for us.