A Reflection of Saint Dimas

Painting from https://catholicismpure.wordpress.com/2010/12/10/the-repentant-thief/

"Amen I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." (Luke 23:43)

Many don't know this (or may have not noticed) that the first saint ever cannonized was Saint Dimas (or sometimes called as Saint Dismas).

Yes! The repentant thief is a saint who was personally cannonized by Jesus Himself whose feast day is on March 25 (however, since the Feast of the Annunciation falls on the same day, the Church takes this as top priority).

Although we only have the verse above to describe who Saint Dimas is, there is a well-known tradition that even before they met during the crucifixion, they already met when they were still children.

According to the tradition, he was a leprous child who grew up with a band of robbers. It was during this time that Mary and Joseph were fleeing Nazareth and on their way to Egypt when the Holy Family encountered this band of robbers. Instead of robbing them, they felt a sense of compassion that they were asked to stay in their tent for the night. The leader (who was Saint Dimas' father) noticed that the Holy Child could heal their leprous child, asked his wife to ask Mary if they could bathe their son in the same water which Mary used to bathe Jesus. So, as soon as she placed him in the same water Jesus used, he was healed.

After thirty-three years, they met again bathing. This time, not bathing in water but bathing in blood of Christ's mercy. That is why for me, there is a special place for Saint Dimas in this Passion sequence.

What makes him special?

Simple. He said,

"Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.”

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Luke 23: 40-42).

He saw himself extremely worthy of death for the crime he committed.

He was completely sorry for everything that he has done and has completely resolved himself not to sin again.

He knew that he has sinned and has made a complete repentance in front of Jesus whom he recognizes as the one who can forgive his sins. That is why he looked on him and said, "I'm sorry Lord! Please remember me when you come into your kingdom."

How many times have we been rightfully sorry for all the sins that we have committed? Have we resolved ourselves to come before Christ in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and say to Him, "I'm sorry Lord for all that I've been doing to you, for hurting you because of my favorite sins"?

It is time to come back to Him and repent.

It is time ask for repentance from Christ and not be like the other thief who mocks Him.

It is time to be like Saint Dimas.

Let us ask for the intercession of Saint Dimas this Holy Week that we may be repentant of our sins and bring us closer to the waters of Christ's mercy as we pray the Prayer to Saint Dimas:

Glorious Saint Dismas, you alone of all the great Penitent Saints were directly canonized by Christ Himself; you were assured of a place in Heaven with Him "this day" because of the sincere confession of your sins to Him in the tribunal of Calvary and your true sorrow for them as you hung beside Him in that open confessional; you who by the direct sword thrust of your love and repentance did open the Heart of Jesus in mercy and forgiveness even before the centurion's spear tore it asunder; you whose face was closer to that of Jesus in His last agony, to offer Him a word of comfort, closer even than that of His Beloved Mother, Mary; you who knew so well how to pray, teach me the words to say to Him to gain pardon and the grace of perseverance; and you who are so close to Him now in Heaven, as you were during His last moments on earth, pray to Him for me that I shall never again desert Him, but that at the close of my life I may hear from Him the words He addressed to you: "This day thou shalt be with Me in Paradise." Amen.