A SAGA OF FAITH
St. Thomas, the Apostle of India.
S. J. ANTHONYSAMY
Published by
NATIONAL SHRINE OF ST. THOMAS BASILICA
SANTHOME, MYLAPORE,
CHENNAI - 600 004. INDIA.
2009
Disciples of St. Thomas (DOST)
Santhome, Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004, India.
Website : www.santhome.org
Institutions may please contact :
E-mail : simonchumkat@santhome.org
Fax: 091-44-4210 0076 PRINTED IN INDIA
Printing and Distribution : First Edition : 2004 Second Edition : 2009
Foreword
I am very happy to present “A Saga of Faith” written by Fr. S.J.
Anthonysamy, professor in Sacred Heart Seminary, Poonamallee.
The author has taken keen interest to present various aspects
regarding the life and ministry of St. Thomas, the Apostle of India.
The ministry and death of the Apostle are closely connected with
the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore especially with the
Santhome Cathedral. The tomb of St. Thomas in the Cathedral
Basilica attracted many pilgrims especially those from the
community of St. Thomas Christians. I am really happy to note
from the book that due importance is given to the tomb by
carefully constructing an underground tomb-chapel.
“A Saga of Faith”- a book in five parts and also an appendix as
part six, is interesting to the readers. The author deserves praise
for giving a detailed picture about the life and ministry of St.
Thomas basing himself on the New Testament, the apocryphal
writings and also by relying abundantly on the early church writings
and also on the testimony of the fathers. Source of the statements
in the book and also in the appendix referring to the tradition and
historical monuments like the “bleeding Cross” need to be
subjected to further study and historical scrutiny. As the author
himself writes in the preface, this book is a popular presentation
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and not a scientific and historical work. But this in no way
overshadows the importance of the book. The author has
succeeded very well in bringing to the fore the importance of
Santhome Cathedral Basilica and also the Church in Mylapore
which can legitimately take pride in possessing the tomb of St.
Thomas, one of the twelve and the Apostle of India. I
wholeheartedly congratulate Fr. Anthonysamy and wish him all the
best.
Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil
Major Archbishop of Erankulam-Angamaly
28th November, 2004
Appreciation
India is indeed privileged to have one of the only two churches
built over the tomb of an Apostle - St Peter’s Basilica in Rome
and the Santhome Cathedral Basilica in Chennai, where St
Thomas lies buried. St Thomas, the Apostle, after preaching the
Good News on the West Coast, came to Madras and suffered
martyrdom an a hill at the out skirts of the city, today known as
St. Thomas Mount.
We are indeed proud of St Thomas, Apostle of India, an
unlearned simple fisherman from Galilee, who was called by Jesus
to become one of His twelve Apostles. His great love for his
Master was shown to us at the time when he accompanied Jesus
to the house, where Lazarus had just died, though the other
Apostles feared being stoned by the Jews. “Let us also go that we
may die with him” said Thomas. His act of faith “My Lord and my
God” has richly indulgenced the Church to use this faith at the
elevation of the Sacred Host in the Holy Mass and at Benediction.
Our learned Rector of the Major Seminary, Rev Fr. S. J.
Anthonysamy has made an excellent attempt, perhaps the first one
to detail the whole life history of St Thomas in this publication,
entitled “A Saga of Faith”, based on Biblical sources, Apocryphal
literature, Patristic tradition and traditional beliefs of the people. I
am sure this good handbook will be extremely useful for pilgrims
and those who wish to know more of St Thomas’ life and his
apostolic mission.
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This book will be released on the occasion of the solemn
blessing of the renovated Santhome Cathedral Basilica on 12th
December 2004 - a fine tribute to the hard work and commitment
of Fr Lawrence Raj, Parish Priest and his team of helpers.
Bishop Lawrence Pius D
Administrator
18th November 2004 Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore
