He is the one we remember for his doubt. But that is not the whole story.

Thomas was also the one who said, when Jesus announced He was returning to Judea where people had tried to stone Him: "Let us also go, that we may die with him." (John 11:16). That is not the voice of a coward. That is the voice of a man who loved Jesus so fiercely that doubt and devotion lived side by side in the same heart.

When he finally saw the Risen Lord and touched His wounds, Thomas gave us the greatest profession of faith in the entire Gospel: "My Lord and my God." Eight words. The whole of Christianity in eight words.

This beautifully laminated St. Thomas the Apostle prayer card carries his ancient intercession — a prayer for those who have doubted, who have questioned, and who have found their way back to faith.

Card Details:

• Laminated cardstock with gold colour accents
• 2.5" × 4.5" — fits perfectly in a wallet, Bible, or pocket
• Classic religious art image on the front
• Full prayer text on the back
• Available in packs of 3, 10, 25, 50, and 100

Prayer to St. Thomas the Apostle

O Glorious Saint Thomas,
your grief for Jesus was such
that it would not let you believe He had risen
unless you actually saw Him and touched His wounds.
But your love for Jesus was equally great,
and it led you to give up your life for Him.

Obtain for us the grace to grieve
over our sins which were the cause of Christ’s sufferings.
Help us to dedicate our lives to Him
and to have the courage to profess our faith in Him
before those who would undermine or destroy it.

My Lord and my God!
Amen.

Patron Saint Of:

• 🙏 Those who doubt or struggle with faith — the patron of honest seekers everywhere
• 🙏 India — Thomas is believed to have brought the Gospel to India, where the ancient St. Thomas Christians (Nasrani) trace their faith directly to him
• 🙏 Sri Lanka
• 🙏 Architects, builders, and construction workers — from the legend of Thomas building a palace in India
• 🙏 Surveyors and geometricians
• 🙏 Blind people — for his spiritual blindness before the Resurrection
• 🙏 Theologians

Feast Day: July 3rd

The Story of St. Thomas — The Apostle Who Went to India

Thomas was one of the Twelve Apostles, called "Didymus" (meaning "twin" in Greek). After the Resurrection and Pentecost, tradition holds that Thomas traveled further than any other Apostle — all the way to India, where he preached the Gospel along the Malabar Coast. The ancient Christian community of Kerala, India — the St. Thomas Christians, or Nasrani — trace their founding directly to Thomas's mission in 52 AD. They are one of the oldest Christian communities in the world.

According to tradition, Thomas was martyred near Chennai (then Mylapore) on July 3rd, around 72 AD, pierced by a spear while at prayer. The Basilica of San Thome in Chennai is built over the site of his tomb — one of only three basilicas in the world built over the tomb of an Apostle (the others being St. Peter's in Rome and St. James in Santiago de Compostela).

His relics were later transferred to Edessa (modern Turkey) and then to Ortona, Italy, where they rest today in the Cathedral of San Tommaso Apostolo.

A Personal Note from Shawn

I'm Shawn Kilgarlin — wife, mother of four, mental health clinician, and Life Coach. Thomas is the patron of doubters, and I have a deep tenderness for him. In my work as a clinician and Life Coach, I sit with people who are wrestling with faith, with God, with the hardest questions of their lives. Thomas shows us that doubt is not the opposite of faith — it is often the path to a deeper faith. His cry — "My Lord and my God" — is the most personal, most hard-won profession of faith in Scripture. Every ShopCatholic card is part of my mission of giving, funding Christmas gifts for those in need and serving those in addiction recovery. Thank you. 🙏

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was St. Thomas the Apostle, and did he really go to India?
Yes! St. Thomas is one of the Twelve Apostles, and the ancient tradition of his mission to India is one of the most historically credible of all the Apostolic traditions. The St. Thomas Christians of Kerala, India — a community of over 6 million people — have maintained an unbroken tradition of faith tracing back to Thomas's arrival in 52 AD. The Basilica of San Thome in Chennai, India, is built over his tomb and is a major pilgrimage site. His feast day is July 3rd.

What is St. Thomas the patron saint of?
St. Thomas is the patron saint of those who doubt or struggle with faith, the nation of India, Sri Lanka, architects, builders, construction workers, surveyors, geometricians, blind people, and theologians. He is the perfect patron for anyone who has ever asked hard questions of God — and kept showing up anyway.

Are there Catholic churches named after St. Thomas the Apostle?
Many! Here are some of the most notable:
• Basilica of San Thome, Chennai, India — built over the tomb of St. Thomas, one of only three basilicas in the world built over an Apostle's tomb. A UNESCO World Heritage Site candidate and major pilgrimage destination.
• Cathedral of San Tommaso Apostolo, Ortona, Italy — home to the relics of St. Thomas, transferred from Edessa in 1258. A stunning medieval cathedral on the Adriatic coast.
• St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Chicago, Illinois, USA — a historic parish in the Archdiocese of Chicago.
• St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Hollywood, California, USA — a beloved parish in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
• St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA — a vibrant university-area parish near the University of Michigan.
• St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Washington, D.C., USA — a historic parish in the nation's capital.
• St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Church — communities across the USA, UK, and Canada, representing the ancient St. Thomas Christian tradition brought directly from Kerala, India.
From India to Italy to Illinois, the Apostle who traveled furthest is honored in some of the most remarkable churches in the world.

Can I order these in bulk for my parish or school?
Absolutely! Cards are available in packs up to 100 for standard orders. For larger needs, our custom print option starts at 1,000 cards, takes approximately 5 days, and can be ordered in any quantity. When Pope Francis visited the United States, he ordered 15,000 "Praying with Five Fingers" cards — a reminder of just how powerful a simple prayer card can be. Contact us to discuss your custom order. 🙏