As we celebrate the feast of St. Thomas the Apostle, our beloved patron, we are invited not merely to remember him but to rediscover the qualities that shaped his discipleship. St. Thomas appears only a few times in the Gospels, yet each appearance reveals a disciple who was honest, courageous, thoughtful, and ultimately strong in faith. According to the ancient and enduring Christian tradition of India, he brought the Gospel to our land and sealed his witness through martyrdom. His life continues to inspire our Province and the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore.

The first lesson St. Thomas offers us is honesty before God. When the other disciples announced that they had seen the Risen Lord, Thomas did not pretend to believe what he had not yet experienced. He spoke truthfully about his doubts. When Christ revealed Himself, Thomas responded with one of the clearest professions of faith in the New Testament: “My Lord and my God!” (Jn 20:28). His journey reminds us that genuine faith grows in hearts that are truthful. For us Salesians, honesty is not merely a moral virtue; it is the foundation of fraternity, credibility in ministry, and authentic accompaniment of the young. Young people are drawn not to perfection but to integrity.

St. Thomas also teaches us to accept God’s will with trust. Before Jesus returned to Judea, knowing the dangers that awaited Him, Thomas encouraged the other disciples, saying, “Let us also go, that we may die with him” (Jn 11:16). These words reveal his readiness to stand with the Lord even when the future was uncertain. Every Salesian vocation includes moments when plans change, responsibilities increase, or sacrifices are asked of us. St. Thomas reminds us that fidelity often means quietly embracing God’s will with courage rather than seeking our own comfort. 

A third lesson is his desire to understand before acting. At the Last Supper, Thomas asked Jesus, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” (Jn 14:5). His question became the occasion for Jesus’ profound revelation: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” Thomas teaches us that sincere questions can lead to deeper faith. In our ministry, we are called to listen patiently to the questions of the young, to accompany them without judgement, and to lead them gently to Christ, who alone is the Way. Salesian accompaniment begins not with readymade answers but with attentive listening and patient guidance.

The life of St. Thomas also reminds us of the importance of faithful commitment in ordinary responsibilities. The Gospels portray him as a disciple who remained with the apostolic community and, after encountering the Risen Lord, dedicated his life entirely to the mission entrusted to him. Salesian ministry is built on the same fidelity: carrying out daily responsibilities with dedication, whether in education, pastoral care, administration, formation, or simple community service. The ordinary tasks of each day become extraordinary when they are carried out in communion with Christ.

Another striking characteristic of St. Thomas is that he was a man of measured words. In the Gospels, he speaks only when something important is at stake. His words are thoughtful, sincere, and purposeful. In our communities and apostolates, this invites us to cultivate speech that encourages rather than discourages, that seeks truth rather than gossip, and that builds communion rather than division. Our witness often depends as much on the quality of our words as on the quantity. 

Above all, St. Thomas became a disciple who listened to the voice of the Lord. His encounter with the Risen Christ transformed uncertainty into conviction and hesitation into missionary zeal. Christian tradition remembers him as an apostle who carried the Gospel far beyond the boundaries of the Roman world. Every Salesian is likewise called to remain attentive to God’s voice in prayer, in the Scriptures, in the Eucharist, in community discernment, and in the cries and hopes of the young. Only those who first listen to God can speak convincingly about Him.

Our Salesian vocation today needs precisely these qualities that shine in St. Thomas: honesty that inspires trust, courage that embraces sacrifice, patience that accompanies others, fidelity in daily responsibilities, simplicity in speech, and a heart attentive to God’s voice. These virtues are not extraordinary achievements reserved for a few; they are the quiet habits that make every Salesian a credible witness of Christ and a loving father, teacher, and friend to the young. 

As we celebrate our patron, may St. Thomas intercede for every confrere of our Province. May he obtain for us the grace to grow in faith, to persevere in hope, and to serve with the joyful dedication of Don Bosco, always leading the young to encounter the Risen Lord. 

Together let us pray:

“My Lord and my God, deepen our faith, strengthen our hope, and make us faithful witnesses of Your Gospel wherever You send us.” 

May St. Thomas the Apostle bless our Salesian Province of Chennai, the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore, our communities, our collaborators, and especially the young entrusted to our care.

Yours affectionately, 

Fr. Don Bosco SDB 
INM Provincial 
 
Date: 03.07.2026 
Place: Chennai