Ways to Celebrate with Your Children: July 3 – St. Thomas the Apostle

July 3 marks the feast day of St. Thomas the Apostle, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, famously known for his journey from doubt to faith. Celebrating this special day with children offers a wonderful opportunity to explore themes of curiosity, trust, and discovery — values that align beautifully with the Montessori approach to learning.

Here are some simple, meaningful ways to celebrate St. Thomas the Apostle with your children at home or in the classroom:

1. Storytelling: Share the Story of St. Thomas

Children love stories, and Montessori education emphasizes learning through rich narratives. Tell the story of St. Thomas, highlighting how he questioned and sought proof before believing. This story encourages children to be curious, ask questions, and seek understanding — all important elements in the Montessori method.

Use simple language and engage children by asking questions like:

• "What would you do if you had doubts?"

• "Why do you think Thomas needed to see to believe?"

  
  

2. Hands-On Exploration: “Seeing is Believing” Sensory Activity

Create a tactile activity to bring the story to life. For example:

• Blindfold and Discover: Blindfold your child and let them explore objects by touch — feeling shapes, textures, and sizes. Then remove the blindfold and compare the experience of "believing" what they felt to "seeing" it with their eyes. This activity highlights the journey from doubt to understanding, just like St. Thomas experienced.

• Faith Tree: Have children create a "faith tree" using paper or natural materials. On each leaf, they can write or draw something they believe in or something they are curious about. This encourages reflection on faith, trust, and discovery.

  
  

3. Creative Art and Craft: Apostle Symbols

Introduce children to the symbols associated with St. Thomas — often depicted with a carpenter’s square or spear. You can create simple crafts like:

• Paper carpenter’s squares decorated with natural colors.

• Painting or drawing images inspired by St. Thomas.

  
  

This artistic expression nurtures creativity while connecting children to history and symbolism.

4. Encourage Questions and Curiosity

St. Thomas is known as the "Doubter" because he asked for proof before believing. Encourage children to ask their own questions about faith, life, or the world around them. Celebrate their curiosity as a path to learning.

Create a “Question Jar” where children can write or draw their questions throughout the day. Later, explore answers together or discuss how sometimes questions lead to deeper understanding.

5. Practice Gratitude and Trust

End the day with a quiet moment of gratitude and trust. Montessori education values mindfulness and respect for the child’s inner world. Encourage children to think about times they felt unsure but trusted and learned something new.

You might say:

• “Today, we learned how Thomas needed to see to believe. Can you think of a time when you had to trust something even if you couldn’t see it at first?”

  
  

Why Celebrate Saints in Montessori?

Honoring feast days like St. Thomas the Apostle helps children connect with history, values, and spirituality in a natural, respectful way. Montessori education supports exploring these themes through stories, art, sensory experiences, and reflective conversation — all while respecting each child’s unique pace of learning and discovery.

Would you like more Montessori-inspired activity ideas for other feast days? Feel free to reach out or share your own family traditions!

Happy July 3 — may your celebration of St. Thomas the Apostle be full of wonder, curiosity, and faith!