Novena to St. Thomas the Apostle – 9 Days of Prayer

Novena to the Apostle called Doubting Thomas, who demanded to see the wounds of the Risen Christ — and when he did, gave us the greatest act of faith in the Gospels: 'My Lord and my God.' Patron of architects, India, and those who struggle with doubt.

St. Thomas the Apostle doubted the Resurrection until he saw the wounds of Christ, then confessed, My Lord and my God. This novena is for doubters and for those who want evidence. Tradition says he took the Gospel to India. His feast is July 3. The doubting apostle gives all of us permission to ask questions. His confession, My Lord and my God, is among the most direct in the Gospels. Pray the novena for a friend struggling to believe, for your own questions and for those who work for the faith in India.

Saint Thomas the Apostle · July 39 dayssaint

A novena is nine consecutive days of prayer. Begin nine days before the feast (July 3) and finish on its eve. You can pray this novena at any time of year.

Pray this novena with daily reminders in the Sacred Novenas app

Open in the app App Store Google Play

Novena to St. Thomas the Apostle – prayer for all nine days

Intention: For Those Who Struggle with Doubt and Those Seeking Faith

Lord Jesus, You did not rebuke Thomas for his doubts but invited him to touch Your wounds. Through his intercession, meet us in our own doubts and transform them, as You did for Thomas, into a deeper and more personal faith. Amen.

O glorious Saint Thomas, Apostle of Christ! When the other disciples told you 'We have seen the Lord,' you said: 'Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.'

This honest cry of doubt has given comfort to millions who struggle to believe. You did not pretend — you said what was true in your heart. And Jesus, rather than abandoning you for your doubt, appeared again a week later and said: 'Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.'

And you, face to face with the Risen Lord, spoke the deepest profession of faith in all the Gospels: 'My Lord and my God!' Eight words that contain a whole theology of the Incarnation and the Resurrection.

You then traveled to India, farther than any other Apostle, and planted the Church there. You died a martyr's death, pierced by spears — like the wounds you had asked to touch.

Holy Thomas, patron of all who struggle to believe, intercede for me now. Obtain for me the grace I seek. (Mention your intention here.)

When doubt darkens my faith, be near me. When I cannot feel God's presence, help me to reach out — as you reached out to touch His wounds — and find Him there, closer than I knew. May I too cry out: My Lord and my God. Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ, who appeared to Thomas and transformed his doubts into an unshakeable faith, appear to us in our own moments of darkness and grant us the grace to cry out with Thomas: My Lord and my God. Amen.

Pray this prayer once a day for nine days in a row.

Traditional Catholic Devotional Prayer · Feast Day: July 3. Thomas, called Didymus (the Twin), doubted the Resurrection until he saw and touched the risen Christ. He is traditionally said to have brought the Gospel to India, where the Saint Thomas Christians trace their origins.

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Frequently asked questions

When should I start the Novena to St. Thomas the Apostle?

Begin on June 24 to end on July 2, the eve of his feast on July 3.

How do I pray the Novena to St. Thomas the Apostle?

Pray the daily prayer once a day and ask honestly for the gift of faith.

Who is the Novena to St. Thomas the Apostle for?

It is for doubters, seekers and Christians of India.

Pray this novena with daily reminders in the Sacred Novenas app

Open in the app App Store Google Play