By R. Jared Staudt, Catholic Exchange - Once again, (St. Agnes’) story bears striking connections to St. Thomas. His purity was also challenged in his adolescence, though this time by his own family… His family locked him in two of their castles for two years in an effort to persuade him to abandon the Dominican Order… Getting desperate, his brothers enlisted the help of a prostitute, whom they tried to force on St. Thomas. Taking a brand from the fire, he chased her out of the room.