Saints · Ages 5-8 · 24 pages

Saint Thomas: The Apostle Who Saw and Believed

by Kyle Hancock

His friends said, “We have seen the Lord.” Thomas shook his head. He wanted to see for himself. Thomas was one of the twelve friends Jesus chose — the one they called “the Twin.” He loved Jesus so much that when the others were afraid, he said, “Let us also go to die with him.” At the Last Supper he asked Jesus how they could know the way, and Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” But on Easter night, when Jesus came to His friends right through the locked doors, Thomas was not with them, and he would not believe until he could see the marks of the nails for himself. A week later, Jesus came back — just for him. Thomas fell to his knees and said the most beautiful words: “My Lord and my God!” And Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” He was talking about you. Saint Thomas: The Apostle Who Saw and Believed tells his true story in warm watercolor illustrations and simple read-aloud words, and follows him, as Christians have always told, far to the east — all the way to India, where families called the Saint Thomas Christians have loved Jesus for almost two thousand years. Written for ages 4 to 8 — a read-aloud for the youngest, and a first saint story for children who are starting to read on their own. Inside you’ll find a Scripture page from the Gospel of John; the true story told in short lines little ones can follow; A Note for Families about Divine Mercy Sunday and the words Catholics pray at Mass when the Host is lifted up; a prayer to pray together; Talk About It Together, questions for after the story; and a page about his life for the grown-up reading aloud, with what the Bible tells us and what Christians have handed down. Feast day: July 3.