Celebrating the Feast of St. Thomas

ashleytumlinwallac
13 minutes ago
4 min read

“My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28)

As Christmas Day draws near, the Church offers us one final feast before the Nativity: the Feast of Saint Thomas the Apostle.

Often remembered as “Doubting Thomas,” his story is far richer than that single moment. His life is one of honest questioning, faithful witness, and radical obedience to Christ’s call, leading him farther in distance than any other apostle.

Who Was St. Thomas?

St. Thomas was one of the twelve disciples chosen by Jesus. He walked with Christ, witnessed His miracles, heard His teachings, and stood in awe of the Resurrection. Tradition tells us that after Pentecost, Thomas became a great missionary, traveling farther than any other apostle, preaching the Gospel throughout the Persian Empire, India, and possibly even as far as China or Ethiopia.

One remarkable tradition from South America tells of a holy man called Pai Thome who once lived among the people of Paraguay, carrying a wooden cross and preaching Christ. They claimed he came from far away, spoke of a powerful God, and left behind communities of believers. Many believe this wandering apostle was Thomas.

St. Thomas in Scripture

Thomas appears most vividly in the Gospel of John, and what we see is not just doubt, but devotion.

In John 11, when Jesus sets out to visit the dying Lazarus, and the disciples fear for His life, Thomas is the one who says:

“Let us also go, that we may die with Him.”

In John 14, when Jesus tells the disciples He is going to prepare a place for them, it’s Thomas who asks:

“Lord, we don’t know where You are going—how can we know the way?”And Jesus replies:“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life…”

And of course, in John 20, when the risen Christ appears to the disciples, Thomas is not with them.

“Unless I see the mark of the nails… I will not believe,” he says.

But when Jesus appears again, He gently invites Thomas to see, to touch, and to believe.

Thomas responds with one of the most profound declarations of faith in all of Scripture:“My Lord and my God!”

The Missionary of the East

Christian tradition holds that Thomas took the Gospel outside the Roman Empire, farther than any of the other apostles. He preached the Gospel across the Middle East, Persia, and ultimately to India, where he spent many years establishing churches and baptizing new believers.

Even today, the vibrant St. Thomas Christians of Kerala in southern India trace their spiritual ancestry directly back to the apostle. He is honored there not only as a missionary, but as the patron saint of India.

The Martyrdom of Thomas

Thomas was eventually martyred in Mylapore (modern-day Chennai) in India, where he was speared to death for his bold preaching. He is often depicted in icons holding a spear, the instrument of his martyrdom.

His tomb is believed to rest beneath the San Thome Basilica in Chennai, a beloved pilgrimage site for Christians around the world.

Feast Day Traditions Around the World

As the final feast before Christmas, St. Thomas’s Day has long been a day of preparation, baking, and giving.

In England, the poor went “a Thomasing”—knocking on doors and receiving food or alms in honor of the apostle.

In Austria, families bake Kletzenbrot, a rich bread with dried fruit, one large loaf for Christmas morning and smaller loaves for each family member.

In Germany, people begin baking Stollen, the fruit-studded loaf folded like a swaddled baby, meant to symbolize the Christ Child.

Other traditional treats include:

Springerles and Lebkuchen in Germany (Lebkuchen meaning “Bread of Life”)
Sugar cookies in the United States and England
Gingerbread and glögg (mulled wine) in Sweden and Finland
In Kerala, India, families gather for dishes like appam (rice pancakes), stew, and fish curries, in honor of St. Thomas’s enduring influence.

Ways to Celebrate the Feast of St. Thomas

Here are a few simple ways to observe this beautiful feast day as a family:

Read John 20:24–29

Let your family reflect on Thomas’s honest faith, and his bold proclamation.

Give to the Poor

Follow the old English custom and find a way to serve others. Prepare a meal for someone, donate to a local charity, or give away warm clothes.

Clean the House

As the final day of Advent preparations, this is a wonderful time to finish your cleaning, wrap final gifts, and get your home ready for the feast to come.

Enjoy Indian Food

In honor of the St. Thomas Christians, try your hand at cooking an Indian meal! Serve chicken or vegetable curry with rice, or pick up naan and samosas from a local restaurant.

Begin Your Christmas Baking

This is the day many families start their baking! In our home, we make my mom Meredith’s iced sugar cookies, a favorite family tradition. They are buttery, soft, and perfect for decorating together.

(If you’d like the recipe, it’s included below!)

St. Thomas reminds us that faith often begins in questions, and that the love of Christ meets us there.

As we enter these final days before Christmas, may we echo his words with our whole hearts:“My Lord and my God!”

the recipe -

Sugar Cookies

1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups sifted confectioner’s sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
food coloring
Any edible decorations you want (sprinkles, red hots, silver balls)

Cream the butter and sugar.
Add the egg and extracts.
Sift flour, soda, and cream of tartar together.
Add to butter mixture.
Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill overnight.
Roll out and cut into desired shapes.
Bake in a 350-degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes.
The icing consists of confectioner’s sugar mixed with teaspoons of half and half until the desired consistency is reached. To color the icing, add the food coloring of your choice.