Saint Dismas

Who was Saint Dismas?

DISMAS is one of the two thieves that were crucified at the same time than Jesus. The name of DISMAS for this person, unnamed in the canonical Gospel itself, appears first in the12th century in the Gospel of Nicodemus. The name of the other thief is Gestas. According to a legend, when DISMAS was a teenager he sheltered and helped the Holy Family to escape to Egypt. Mary told him that he was going to meet them in another and more tragical circumstances and that he and his son Jesus were going to be crucified together in Jerusalem some years later. But DISMAS did not pay attention to this prophecy. Although DISMAS was by birth a Gentile and the eldest son of a rich Jewish merchant and could have a pleasant and confortable life, he was corrupted by his cousin Gestas and became an outlaw. He left his town and his home when he was 15 years old. After some years of crimes and robbery, DISMAS and Gestas were captured. We don't know about the circumstances of his arrest, but DISMAS was then about 45 years old. The accusation which had been proved against them was that of having assassinated a Jewish woman who, with her children, was travelling from Jerusalem to Joppa. On being arrested, he confessed everything. They were imprisoned for a long time before being brought to trial. Finally Pilate gave order that they should be taken to Jerusalem to be judged. Pilate sentenced both to death by crucifixion. His mother Eve, still alive, tried to get the mercy of Pilate and implored in vain for a less painful and humiliating punishment. But DISMAS and Gestas were hand and feet cuffed, and thrown in a horrible prison in Jerusalem. We don't know how long was DISMAS left in prison. They were going to be flagellated and crucified, serving as an example to the dangerous thieves in the surroundings. Just before his execution, DISMAS was cruely flagellated. On the road to Calvary, DISMAS could have been witness of the miracle of the Veronica and that could have marvelled him. On arriving to Calvary, the two thieves got in panic on seeing the crosses lying on the ground. DISMAS began to cry and ask for mercy. Just before being fixed to the cross an executioner offered him a drink. "Take it all! This is going to appease your sufferings. It is myrrh and vinegar". He drank the potion with repulsion. He was trembling. DISMAS was crucified like Jesus Christ. Both feet and hands were fixed in the cross with nails. The executioners placed DISMAS on the cross to measure him for the nail holes in the side beams and the carvings they would make in the main beam. They marked also the holes to be drilled for nails in his wrists. DISMAS screamed out in pain and probably fainted, because he barely could remember the other hand being nailed in the same way. Once both wirsts nailed, DISMAS was lifted so that the people could enjoy with the sight of his torture. The cross, in falling into the hole prepared for it, gave him a terrible shock. They used two other spikes to nail both his feet. The pain was terrible -not so bad at first-, but slowly, like a cramp that worsens the pain began to burn his shoulders and arms DISMAS could not resist the excruciating pain of the nails that pierced his wirsts and feet and cried like a child. Each drop of blood that dripped from him made him weaker. The torture of the cross made him sweat. The nerves were contracted in violent spasms. To all these turments must be added that of a devastating thrist. Standing by the cross of DISMAS was his old mother Eve who came to witness the crucifixion of his son too. DISMAS looked to the left of him and heared the man in the middle cry out, "Father, forgive them for they don't know what they do!" Crucified next to Jesus, DISMAS soon realized the calmness and sweetness of Jesus. DISMAS observed the patience of Jesus and it moved him. DISMAS also turned his attention to Mary. He felt great sorrow for her that she would have to be a witness of his torture. Heroic was the faith and trust...