08/05/2026
Did you know? The only saint Jesus Christ personally canonized… while hanging on the cross next to Him. His name? St. Dismas, the Good Thief.
Crucified beside Jesus, he had no time for great good deeds, no long prayers, and no holy reputation. In his final agonizing moments, he simply turned to the Lord and said: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Jesus looked at him and answered: “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43) In one instant, a lifetime of sin was wiped away by one act of sincere repentance.
He was brought to heaven, not because he did nothing, but because he had faith in Christ and in His Kingdom. Because of this Faith, he pleaded before Him, recognizing his sinfulness before the King of Kings, that alone was his great deed. And in that moment, Jesus forgave him.
St. Dismas became the first person promised Heaven, and the only saint directly canonized by Jesus Himself. He is now the patron saint of prisoners, criminals, sinners, and anyone who turns to God at the very last moment.
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It’s never too late. No sin is too big. No moment is too late.
St. Dismas, pray for us! 🙏
