For most saints, the patron-to-beneficiary link is fairly straightforward. There is more often than not some feature of a saint’s biography that has made him or her the go-to saint for particular groups or problems. Are you a young adult looking to live your faith in an authentic way? Look to Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati. Are you looking to be a good worker in support of your family? Go to Saint Joseph. Perhaps you are a recovering satanist. Look no further than the example of Blessed Bartolo Longo.
In some cases, the reason for a saint’s patronage is not so obvious. Take Saint Thomas Aquinas. Is he the patron saint of theologians and educators? Yes, and as the greatest mind to grace the Church, it’s not hard to see the logic. Apparently, he is also the patron saint of pencil makers, who at least produce study-adjacent instruments. Surprisingly though, Thomas is often cited as a special patron saint of chastity. Sure, he was a religious brother, but why not choose someone more obvious—like a virgin-martyr, or Saint Mary Magdalene? While there may seem to be a better fit in someone else, this has not stopped the Dominican Order from promoting St. Thomas as a champion of chastity going back centuries. To that end, the Order has established the Angelic Warfare Confraternity.
The key to understanding this patronage link in St. Thomas’s case comes from one of the Beatitudes: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt 5:8). Here, our Lord lays out the means his followers must use to see the Father. Saint Thomas, who was desirous of true theology, focused his research towards this contemplation, or sight, of God. Jesus had given him the way: purity of heart.
What exactly does it mean to heave a pure heart? It certainly involves chastity according to one’s state in life, but it doesn’t stop there. Saint Thomas likens purity of heart to the purity of silver (ST II-II, q. 7, a. 2). When silver is mixed with a less-worthy metal, like lead or tin, we say that it is less pure. Likewise, when our heart loves lower and passing things, we say that it is less pure. Silver is best when it is true. Similarly, our hearts are best when they love God. A pure heart is undivided for God.
How does one attain purity of heart? Saint Thomas knew that this project was not one that could be accomplished through human effort alone. The most intense asceticism, the most sublime prayer, can be subtly and instantly made rotten through pride. What the soul needs most is God. Faith and love have their origin and end in God, as Jesus tells us; “apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
As a member of the Angelic Warfare Confraternity, one offers 15 Hail Marys daily for themselves and fellow members. These are not offered as a transaction (I do this, and God will make me pure in exchange). Instead, they are offered as an invitation. If God’s grace is the cause of our goodness—then we need him everywhere. Each Hail Mary represents a different part of our lives where God can draw us to himself. Members pray for the culture, their relationships, for modesty, their senses, imagination, memory, intellect, and will. Finally, the confraternity member prays for self-surrender and love—the purpose of purity, the sight of God. Those enrolled ask God to permeate their lives in every aspect.
If you want to be pure of heart, order all of the parts of your life towards God in knowledge and love. Inviting God into all of the places of our heart is a lifelong endeavor. We pray for the healing that only God offers, that our whole selves—spirit, soul, and body—will be purified like silver and ordered according to reason. Saint Thomas is a great friend for this endeavor. If you want his patronage for this fight, you can read about enrolling in the Angelic Warfare Confraternity here. Through the prayers of thousands, and especially through God’s help, we may at the end and for all time be presented “holy and blameless and irreproachable before him” (Col 1:22).
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Photo by Fr. Lawrence Lew, O.P. (used with permission)
