St. Dismas Small 14kt Gold Medal - 1/2in. x 1/4in.

Also known as

    * The Good Thief
    * The Penitent Thief
    * Desmas

Memorial

    * 25 March
    * date derived from tradition that this was the calendar date of the Crucifixion, though the Passover and Easter celebrations move from year to year

Profile

    One of the thieves crucified with Jesus, the other being traditionally known as Gestas; Dismas is the Good Thief, the one who rebuked the other, and asked for Christ’s blessing.

    An old legend from an Arabic infancy gospel says that when the Holy Family were running to Egypt, they were set upon by a band of thieves, including Dismas and Gestas. One of the highwaymen realized there was something different, something special about them, and ordered his fellow bandits to leave them alone; this thief was the young Dismas.

Died

    * crucified c.30 at Jerusalem

Canonized

    * Pre-Congregation

Patronage

    * condemned prisoners
    * death row prisoners
    * funeral directors
    * Merizo, Guam
    * penitent criminals
    * prisoners
    * prisoners on death row
    * reformed thieves
    * undertakers

Representation

    * man carrying his cross immediately behind Christ
    * man crucified at Christ’s right hand
    * naked man, holding his cross, often with his hand on his heart to signify penitence
    * tall cross