A Path to Purity in a Confused Age

Living in a secular and, at times, seemingly post-Christian society, the month of June has taken on a particular cultural tone centered around “Pride.” Whether through flags displayed across buildings, shifting marketing campaigns, or messaging that promotes a certain vision of love and identity, it can feel inescapable. Over time, I found myself growing frustrated—even weary—at how pervasive it all seemed.

And yet, that frustration revealed something in me.

It became easy to react to the noise of the culture while overlooking the very real individuals behind it—men and women, including Christians, who experience same-sex attraction and are striving, often quietly and heroically, to live in fidelity to the teachings of the Catholic Church. My initial response did little to foster understanding or compassion. If anything, it hardened me.

Through the witness of the Saints, the teachings of the Church, and the prayers found in Blessed are the Pure by Stephen A. Codekas, that began to change.

In my experience, sections like the Foreword, Introduction, and Acknowledgments are often skimmed or skipped altogether. But this was not the case here. Codekas writes with a level of honesty, vulnerability, humility, and integrity that immediately draws the reader in. His motivations are clear, and his voice is both personal and relatable. Whether one experiences same-sex attraction or not, we all know someone who does—and these opening pages help situate the reader in a posture of understanding rather than judgment.

Throughout the devotional, the Saints are presented not as distant figures, but as companions. Some are well known, others more hidden, but all feel accessible—fellow travelers on the path to holiness. Their witness, paired with the prayers that conclude each meditation, gives the work a deeply personal and spiritual rhythm. It becomes clear that Codekas is not writing from abstraction, but from lived experience—sharing both his struggles and his hope.

In my own life, the call to chastity and purity has not been without its challenges, especially in a culture saturated with distractions and temptations. Access to harmful content is easier than ever, and the pursuit of virtue can feel like an uphill battle. Yet through Blessed are the Pure, I found not only encouragement, but real help. Praying with the Saints, reflecting daily, and returning to these meditations in moments of temptation led to tangible growth: less frequent falls into sin, and a deeper desire for virtue.

In the end, Blessed are the Pure proves to be a powerful and timely resource—not only during the month of June, but throughout the entire year. It speaks to a universal longing within the human heart: the desire for goodness, for clarity, and ultimately for God.

I recommend it without hesitation.

Again and again, I have found myself returning to its pages—especially in moments of weakness—turning to a bookmarked prayer, such as the Litany for Day 31, and being reminded of a simple truth:

What conquers pride is not argument, but humility.

The Church never asks us to walk this path alone. Through Codekas’ work, we are invited into the communion of Saints—those who have gone before us and now intercede for us—encouraging us, strengthening us, and helping us press on toward our true home.

You can secure your very own copy of Blessed are the Pure by going HERE.