Appearance to the Eleven

No fixed feast day in the calendar

Jesus gives peace, commissions the mission, and calls for faith without seeing.

Peace, Thomas’s confession, and the call to mission

While the disciples were gathered, Jesus appeared among them and said, "Peace be with you!" He showed them His hands and side to prove He was not a ghost, but Himself in a real body. He even ate broiled fish before them to confirm His physical presence. At that time, Thomas was not present; he doubted and demanded to touch the wounds before believing. Eight days later, the Lord appeared again, inviting Thomas to touch His wounds. Thomas exclaimed the strongest confession of faith in the Gospel: "My Lord and my God!" Jesus replied, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." He commissioned the disciples to preach to all nations, promising the Holy Spirit so they could become witnesses.

Prayer

Believing without seeing and being sent

Jesus gives peace to our souls. He came among the frightened disciples and bestowed His peace.
Thomas’s confession teaches us to call Christ our God. We are invited to recognize "My Lord and my God" in our lives.
Christ sends us to witness through the Holy Spirit. He promised the Spirit so the disciples could preach to all nations.

Even though we do not see the Lord with our physical eyes, we believe in Him through faith.

Prayer

Lord, strengthen my faith so that I always recognize You as my Lord and my God.

The text on this page is the card in the Catholic Information app, word for word.