India / Thomas the Apostle, first century a.d., Feast Day: July 3

Thomas was the apostle who doubted the resurrection until he felt Christ’s wounds. His area of evangelization was India. A king had him design a fabulous palace and gave him a large sum of money to build it. Instead, he gave the money to the poor, saying he was building the king’s  palace in heaven. He was martyred there by sword.

Other patronages: the East Indies, Pakistan, Sri Lanka; architects, builders, construction workers, engineers, geometricians, masons, stonecutters, surveyors, theologians

Invoked: against doubt

The above patron saints are excerpted from the book: “Patron Saints: A Feast of Holy Cards” by Barbara Calamari and Sandra DiPasqua. All images are from the collection of Father Eugene Carrella.