Thomas of Tolentino facts for kids

Thomas of Tolentino (Italian: Tommaso di or da Tolentino; c. 1255 – 8 April 1321) was a Franciscan missionary from the Middle Ages. He was killed for his Christian faith in Thane, India, along with three friends. This happened because they spoke about their beliefs, which upset the local leaders.

After his death, his relics (parts of his body or belongings) were taken to Quanzhou, China, and Tolentino, Italy. Today, he is honored as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church. His special day, called a feast day, is April 9.

Life of Saint Thomas

Thomas was born in a town called Tolentino in Italy around the years 1250 to 1260. He joined the Franciscan religious group when he was young. He was known for strictly following their rules, especially the rule about being poor.

Thomas was a friend of Nicholas of Tolentino. He was also part of a group called the Spiritual Franciscans. This group believed in living a very simple life. Thomas was even put in jail twice because he spoke out against people living in luxury.

Missionary Journeys

After being released from jail, Thomas began his travels as a missionary. In 1289, he went to Lesser Armenia with other Franciscans. The king of Armenia, King Haython II, asked him to go to Europe in 1291. Thomas visited Rome, Paris, and London. He tried to get help against the Muslim armies, but he was not successful.

He returned to the East and then traveled again to gather more missionaries. In 1302, he came back with twelve friends. They worked in Armenia and Persia (modern-day Iran). Thomas also took part in a meeting in 1307 that tried to reunite the Armenian and Roman Catholic churches.

While in Persia, Thomas received letters from John of Montecorvino. John was another Franciscan missionary working in China. Thomas then traveled back to Rome in 1307 to deliver these letters. He spoke to the Pope and cardinals, asking for help for the mission in China.

In 1308, he met with Pope Clement V. After this meeting, a church structure was set up for Catholics in China. John of Montecorvino was made the main bishop in China. Many other Franciscans were sent to help him.

Journey to India

There is a time when we don't know much about Thomas's life, from 1308 to 1320. He might have been working in India or China during this time.

In 1320, Thomas started a new journey from Hormuz. He traveled with other religious people, including Bl. James of Padua and Peter of Siena. There was also a Dominican friar named Jordan of Severac and a man named Demetrio da Tifliz. Demetrius was good with languages and helped the group communicate.

A storm forced their ship to land in Thane, near Mumbai. They were met by local Christians there. Jordan left the group to preach elsewhere.

Martyrdom

Soon after, Demetrius and the Franciscans were arrested. The family they were staying with had a fight, and the husband hit his wife. When she reported this, she mentioned the four religious men as witnesses. They were called to court.

Thomas, James, and Demetrius went to the court. Peter stayed behind to look after their belongings. At the court, they started talking about religion. The judge asked them what they thought of Muhammad. Thomas spoke about his Christian faith, which angered the local Muslim leaders. They called for the men to be killed.

Thomas, James, and Demetrius were executed on April 8, 1321. Peter was killed three days later.

Saint Thomas's Legacy

Local Christians may have buried Thomas and his friends. Later, Jordanus Catalani moved their bodies to a church. In 1323 or 1326, another friar named Odoric of Pordenone visited the area. He learned about Thomas and his companions. He took their relics with him to Quanzhou in China.

Odoric took Thomas's skull to Khanbaliq (now part of Beijing) and then back to Europe. In 1330, he gave it to the Franciscans in Tolentino. Later, it was moved to the main church in Tolentino. It is now kept in a special silver statue.

Thomas and his companions have been honored as saints for a long time. Their special status was officially approved by Pope Pius VII in 1809 and by Pope Leo XIII in 1894. They are honored as saints, sometimes together as the Four Martyrs of Thane, on April 9.

See also

• Other saints named Thomas