Back in my Anglican seminary days, we started a tradition of always eating Indian food (which we love!) on the feast of Saint Thomas – the Patron Saint and Apostle of India. For we Anglicans, the feast day of Saint Thomas fell on December 21. It was always a fun “pre-Christmas” tradition for us to have spicy Indian food on the evening of the first day of winter. Fortunately, December 21 is still the feast of Saint Thomas in Latin Mass parishes.*

Saint Thomas, one of the twelve apostles, traveled to India and evangelized that nation. To this day, Indian Christians claim Saint Thomas as their founder and patron.

So tonight we’re again eating Indian food for dinner: Tiki Masala, Vindaloo, Veggie Korma, Naan, Rice, etc.

Last year I tried to share my enthusiasm for Saint Thomas of India with the Indian take-out girl. She didn’t seem impressed…Hindu perhaps.

Godspeed,

Taylor

* December 21 is the feast of Saint Thomas the Apostle in the pre-Vatican 2 calendar and in the calendar Episcopal Church (from my pre-Catholic days). It became somewhat complicated when we became Catholic, because in the current Catholic Novus Ordo calendar (post-V2) has Saint Thomas’ feast day on July 3. Our little “pre-Christmas” tradition didn’t quite work so well liturgically. Now that we’re at a Latin Mass parish, it was great to see the red vestments and hear a solid homily on Saint Thomas…and have some Indian food!

Saint Thomas, Apostle of India, pray for us!