Geo Angelo C.

Astraquillo
II – AB Philosophy
Our Lady of Peñafrancia Major Seminary
English 2 (Writing in the discipline)
Ms. Judith Ayo
February 5, 2018

BOOK SUMMARY.

Title: Pillar in the Twilight.

Author: The Daughters of Saint Paul.
Main characters: Saint Thomas Aquinas, Countess Theodora, Count Landolf, Saint Albert the Great and
Father Reginald.
Secondary characters: Marrota, Two brother knights, Lord Abbot, Emperor Philip II, Father John, Pope
Urban, Pope Gregory X, King Loius and Saint Bonaventure.
Settings: Aquino, Italy - Rocca Secca Castle, Monte Cassino - Italy, Church – Italy, Naples, Italy - The
University of Naples, Cologne Germany, Rome – Papal palace, Paris, France – Royal palace and on the
way to Lyons, France.
Summary:
Part I -EVENT AT ROCCA SECCA.
In The Great castle Rocca Secca placed in Aquino near Naples, Italy noontime January 28, 1225,
a blessing was given to the family of Count Landolf, the husband of Countess Theodora and to the
family of the mother church. Saint Thomas the Angelic Doctor of the Christian Catholic faith was born.
His eyes were blue like the deep ocean, and his stature was chubby and his skin was white as a dove. In
that simple town of Aquino sleepy as it may seem, the community who lived there did not notice how
blessed are they, for there is a gift that came from God in their midst, with a mission that will help
strengthen the Dogma’s and the teachings of the Catholic faith. He was five years old when his mother
asked him – anxious to know about his son’s future – “Thomas, what will be your role in life?” Thomas
didn’t speak for he isn’t one like his siblings, quick to answer questions. And so, Thomas’ mother
thought, maybe perhaps his place was not in the world outside, for Thomas wasn’t a likely prospect for
the tremendous 13th century. His mother thought, her son might not be able to fit in or cope up with the
lifestyle that that era and place has to offer. Instead maybe it would be better for Thomas to be in the
church. But, such was not the problem for the little chubby boy from Aquino. As Thomas and his mother
went to their castle’s tower for the beautiful view of the “Monte Cassino,” – an empire of learning,
culture, and holiness and a universal symbol of flourishing Christianity, together they enjoyed its beauty.
Until suddenly out of nowhere in that clear blue sky with orange backdrop and a touch of prickly heat
being felt penetrating the skin, Thomas asked his Mother, “Monte Cassino, what is that mother?” The
mother replied, simply she said, “God lives there.” His father’s view about the future monastic life of his
son was quite a good thing for him too, for it would serve as a peace offering to the church and God.
During his Fathers’ younger years, he served the emperor named Philip II of the Roman Empire, which
also happened to be Landolf’s first cousin. The church had grown in temporal riches at that time. Greedy
eyes watched and snatched it from her. When the house of Aquino went to war it was difficult to pick
the side of the church, even though it was his conscience choice, for if he did choose the churches’ side,
he would be fighting against his cousin. And so the House of Aquino warred against the pope and his
army sacked the monastery and tore it to the ground leaving only rubble and smoke. But how does one
so wrong manage to deal with his conscience? Monte Cassino was rebuilt, and the very man who sacked
it was standing at the monastery door, ready to offer his own son as a gift. This sacrifice brought the
counts’ conscience to rest.
Inside they went, and they were greeted by the Lord Abbot who lived there. The holy monk
stared at the little boy, chubby and oversized for his age, smiled warmly at Thomas. Little Thomas then
also smiled back and liked the abbot as he walked closer to him unafraid. Together they walked down
the long gloomy corridor leading to the chapel. Suddenly, the little fellow stopped and clutched the
abbot, earnestly gazing into the eyes of the Abbot and asked, “Who is God?” Until then no one knows
the exact answer of the Abbot. But, the answer must’ve been right for the boy who internalized it spent
the entirety of his life trying to find a way to please the very God who was the object of the question.
THOSE BEGGAR MONKS.
It was the year 1239 that Thomas of Aquino left Monte Cassino, with the reason believed, that it
was due to the turbulent world situation intensified by the restless Emperor Philip. And it was in the
University of Naples, Italy that he spent hi five years of diligent training in the arts of sciences, in which
he mastered, and at the same time while coaching other students as well. He was very intelligent and
when it came to books and learning, the lad was right at home. In history, someone asked Thomas,
“What was the greatest grace you have ever received?” He replied, “I have understood every page that I
have ever read. “ At that time he was away from home, family and with a different environment. The
only place where he sought peace from all those feelings of loneliness and homesickness was in the
church and the priory of the Dominicans. When a few Dominicans have seen that there is this unfamiliar
boy sometimes praying in their chapel, they who saw reported it to the Dominican priest in charge
named Fr. John. And when the priest knew about such man, he wanted to see for himself for he may be
able to interact with the stranger who always visited their house of prayer. And so, when Fr. John had
the chance, he conversed with Thomas and said. “God has given you to our order.” Thomas agreed and
nodded for his mind was made up long ago. He entered the order completely on his own. There was no
one who encouraged him in his decision. So he became a Dominican. His mother Countess Theodora
was displeased when she heard this kind of a matter. For being a Dominican monk is a beggar. And for
that she imagined his son as a “beggar monk.” The horrified mother, not to be outdone by the rashness
of her sons’ act, mounted on a horse and rode for Naples. As she arrived at the priory door, she shouted,
knocked and wanted to come inside. Although, all those tries were useless. Thomas Aquinas was en
route to Bologna for a mission along with three friars.
EXILE IN THE TOWER.
Thomas’ mother may have fallen short of her attempt to subdue and warn his son about his
state in life as a beggar monk. Despite having failed in the first try, this didn’t stop her from trying once
more. This time because the house Aquino had many arms, like a multi tentacle Octopus, wherein in
some tentacles failed and some other succeeded. Thomas’ two elder brothers were the ones who
brought him home for exile. But it wasn’t a walk in the park that lead them to their success. Thomas
didn’t easily give up and obeyed. In fact it was on that day that the saintly Thomas undertook the first
fist fight of his life. But, still it was three against an army, they didn’t really had the chance. And so he
left his two brother friars there on the road to Bologna, as he passively followed his elder brothers.
During the exile, it was not a dull moment for Thomas, he spent his days and nights studying and
praying. No one was permitted to visit him, except for her sister Marrota. During her frequent visit to his
brother, they also had many conversations, and along with those, something had happened to Marrota.
She was converted, a strange transformation took place and the worldly minded, superficial Gal, stood
before Thomas and announced that on that day she wanted to become a Benedictine. She said it with
heartfelt joy, as they said their goodbyes. Happy were the two as they parted ways.
THE VICTORY.
The house of Aquino was not at all getting along too well. The mother didn’t want her son to
become a monk, the brothers grew restless because they were guarding Thomas and in addition there
was a war in which the two of them didn’t participate in, they were mad with Thomas. But for Thomas,
they were the ones who had problems, not him, he was only responding to the call of God. The only
ones who were on Thomas’ side were his sisters, but only secretly. Meanwhile, Thomas followed his
seminary schedule as close as possible, he rose early, prayed the rosary and studied Aristotelian books.
He even thought he might be able to live as captive for many years. He enjoyed it, but his brothers
didn’t. And so, to get rid of such a burden, the two brothers came up with a shameful plot to put
Thomas out of his “misery.” Countess Theodora approved of a plan. It was to send a young beautiful
maiden into the exile room and trick Thomas into having an intimate engagement with him. The girl
went to the exile room prepared, for she was an expert. When Thomas heard the door opened, he
fluttered his eyes and after sinking in what was happening in his room, he dove near into the fireplace
grabbed a burning log and waved it from side to side in front of the girl. Thomas warned her to stay
back, the girl’s soul jumped out of her body, scared to death for she hadn’t prepared for this type at all.
She went down shouting and terrified. That phenomenon leaked like a holed barrel of water, everyone
knew about it and everyone was disgusted. The next few days Thomas was allowed to live out his
vocation into the right environment, but the sisters also came up with an idea to release their dear
Thomas outside of his prison cell. The plan worked and Thomas was free, although Theodora knew of
the escape, what she did was she closed her eyes to it all and let the escape succeed. “I have been
wrong,” she murmured, “terribly wrong.”
Part II – QUIET ONE.
At last he was free, free to fulfill the decision of his youth. He went back to the Dominicans and
the master general quietly whisked him out of the country. Just in case her mother might change her
mind. He was sent to the University of Cologne with other students all over the countries. It was a
common ground for learning not only for the ones who were preparing for ordination, but to all. And in
that university he met his mentor, the name was Albert or Albert the great. He was very excited to be
taught by the greatest scholar of the day. In class during master Albert’s lectures, he didn’t notice
Thomas at all, for he was a fit background inside the classroom, until there was a time during one of
Albert’s lectures, one of Thomas’ notes were placed on the floor. The classmate picked it up and gave it
to the lecturer. The professor saw brilliantly was the summary of that mornings’ lecture. It was a very
condensed summary. For the first time the great Albert began to see this huge bulk lad as an individual,
as someone different from the nameless group of impetuous youths who were always around him. From
that moment on, Albert would work at drawing Thomas out of isolation and envisioned and planned to
mold and make a strong personality out of him that would grow in such holiness and intelligence.
 THE LIGHT EMERGES.
It was now 1252, a quite unforgettable year. He had come to Cologne in 1245, and the years
that followed had been years of preparation and expectation. Thomas Aquinas was to be ordained, he
had grown immensely in understanding, and now he was equipped with the knowledge for which his
priestly vocation called. Once he had fought two of his brothers to keep the Dominican habit. Now he
was Dominican in mind and will as well as in mind. The newly ordained priest was called into the heart
of a struggling world sooner than he expected. Master Albert was summoned to Paris to receive his
Doctor’s degree, he brought with him the newly ordained. After a few days Thomas then was sent to
Rome, as a representative of the Dominicans to refute the fallacies of Sir William, about the friars. It was
entitled the perils of the latter times. And so with a fast carriage and an ever faithful priest named Fr.
Reginald as companion they travelled to Rome. When in Rome, he met the representative of the
Franciscans St. Bonaventure, in which both of them became best of friends. He arrived at eight in the
evening. After dinner he went to the borrowed quarters and rested. In the morning after a healthy
breakfast, they entered the Papal palace and settled there for a bit, until it was his turn to refute. Then
Thomas rose and began to speak, every word chosen carefully. His voice was calm and his attitude was
of deep humility. Point by point he brought down the fallacies of St. Amor’s book. And one by one they
toppled like a pyramid of cards. There were defenses that day but it was the man from Aquino who
turned the tide. He became famous and from there, they went back to the University of Paris.

DOGMA AND POETRY.

While he was in the University of Paris, he labored by having open sessions to other people who
interested about the things that made other people think. He loved to see eager faces that looked to
him for answers. Thomas taught the people how to serve God while being happy doing it. Thomas was
also a daring and courageous thinker who attacked any and every problem that came up. He gave the
world a new understanding of the deepest problem that has always puzzled men. In 1259, Paris, being
elevated into preacher general of the Papal palace, he was instructed to come at once in Rome. A ten
year assignment was been given to Thomas, he will be leaving without his master Albert. He
accompanied the Holy Father throughout Italy and lectured in many of the towns and villages. Pope
Urban IV was about to institute a feast honoring the body of Christ. He wanted the office composed to
portray the church’s gratitude for the Eucharist and also at the same time to recall the Theology
involved.
 Taken from: The Sequence – Feast of Corpus Christi.
“Sion lift your voice and sing:
Praise your savior and your king:
Praise with hymns your shepherds true.
Strive your best to praise him well,
Yet does all praise excel;
None can ever reach his due…”
He began his story the way he would like to hear it and then ended with a prayer. He also wrote
Pange lingua and Verbum Supernum. His was not just a world of school, books and philosophical
debates. Many an hour, Thomas left his books piled neatly on the desk and went to the chapel to pray.
What gave him light, fire and wisdom were the hours spent in prayer before the crucifix. In 1266, while
still in Italy, Thomas began to write his greatest work, his Summa Theologica, which would be the
occupation of all his spare moments, almost until the end of his life.
THE MISHAP.
It was the year 1269, and Fathers Thomas and Reginald were called France. Their journey was
made on foot. On their way home they saw the 13th century Paris. It was an awe-inspiring sight of the
first Gothic spires climbing gracefully into the sky, a symbol of the golden age. The two Dominicans
stood on a hill overlooking Paris. The city was a gorgeous array of splendor. But, best of all the return to
Paris meant seeing Master Albert again. And the sight of the wonderful old friar moved Thomas from his
usual complacency. Together they talked of Thomas’ past years in Italy, of spiritual victories and
Theological quests. They were not just novice master and student they were father and son. The mishap
happened when Thomas was invited by king Loius to a social gathering, it was his master Albert who
accepted the invitation from the king. The place was a marvel of architectural skill. During the party
after the prayer before the meal, he sat down thinking about a heresy that had come into the world in
the 3rd century. He kept thinking and thinking until subconsciously when he formulated some sort of a
way to squash the heretics, but before he could check his actions, his big fist smashed upon the table,
and he said with determination, “that ends the Manichean heresy!” Goblets, plates and cups, jumped
and spilled. Four hundred pair of eyes gazed at the red-faced Dominican. What a mishap.
DEFENDER WITHOUT A SWORD.
He was travelling down new avenues of thought, but always stayed on the master highway of
“truth.” Thomas was tasked to write a treatise regarding the Holy Eucharist. There was such a dispute
taking place at the University of Paris, and Thomas because of his wisdom and more of his humility was
chosen to write the treatise and decide the issue. The Angelic Doctor trembled in fear for the topic was
of great importance to Christendom and knowing so well the minute and the exactness needed to
describe this wonderful gift of God’s love. Thomas spent more time in prayer than usual, there were
times when he felt weak, and he sought empowerment in prayer. In the quiet of his room, as time
passed by he was able to finish the treatise. Then he went to the chapel after re-reading it. Speaking in
front of the crucifix he knelt, “It is so small compared to what you are my God.” Lo and behold, the life
sized figure of Christ loosed itself and stepped in front Thomas and spoke, “You have written well of the
sacrament of my body.” The master said kindly and in an instant the figure went back to its original
place. Thomas cried lakes of tears and thanksgiving words spilled out of his mouth. The treatise was
soon made public and accepted, first by the university and then by the church.
SILENT PEN-SILENT HEART.
In the year 1272, Fathers Thomas and Reginald retraced their steps and went to Rome. This time
Thomas was appointed, Regent of study for the Dominican house at Naples. It was a routine already for
Thomas to add more to his composition, The Summa. Then he was transferred to Salerno. He had more
time in writing than before. He busied himself with great enthusiasm. The third and last part of the
Summa deals with Christ’s passion, death and resurrection. The words that Thomas penned on paper
seemed to come alive in his heart, and he grew in holiness a little more each day as he spent longer
hours in prayer and contemplation. While celebrating mass on the feast of Saint Nicholas, 1273, Father
Thomas experienced a revelation. He said, “The end of my labors has come, all that I have written
appears to be as so much straw compared to the things that have been revealed to me.” Now Thomas
was acting quite differently, he can’t barely speak nor write. In fact the Summa has been never
completed. Thomas was summoned to journey to Lyons to attend the general council as requested by
Pope Gregory X. He was very ill, and still went on with the journey, after a day in the scorching sun,
Thomas seemed to look terribly ill. So, with fear Fr. Reginald took him to the nearest monastery. It
happened to be a Cistercian abbey. Afraid to lose his friend Fr. Reginald let him rest at the Monastery
while the monks received the world renowned Doctor of Theology with reverence which broadened on
awe. Throughout the night the pain surmounted and Thomas grew weaker and weaker. One of his last
wish was to be able to confess. Then the monks filed and went outside the room where he laid. “This is
my last confession he said, dear father,” Thomas speaking with wincing pain. “I want to make a general
confession.” After the confession Fr. Reginald went out of the room, tears dripping from his eyes, while
muttering “In all his life, the sins of a child of five.” His eyes closed, his heart beat no more. But the
influence of St. Thomas would never be covered with sand. The truth to which he dedicated his life
never went out of date, for his was the philosophy as endless and unchangeable as God – the eternal
philosophy. With sadness Master Albert bared the sad news, as it reached Cologne, Germany. “My son
Thomas is dead, my son Thomas is dead!”
Thomas Aquinas the Angelic Doctor of Philosophy and Theology did not die. The Dumb ox form
Aquino quietly walks throughout the world. Capturing men’s mind with his truths and capturing their
hearts with the wonderful simplicity and humble greatness of his life. He never ceased to make a
profound impression on every age.

Moral lesson: “Living a life simply and with deep humility is the fruit given to us as a blessing from God
that we made possible through fervent contemplation and consistent prayer with the aid of the Divine
grace and the Holy Spirit”

I liked this book it challenges me to be like St. Thomas Aquinas, his holiness, intelligence and
perseverance to become a priest. I also admire how he dedicated his time to academics and prayer.
Most especially for me studying here inside the seminary, it is almost very similar to what Saint Thomas
had while he was still a seminarian. And so with the times that I have read this story and be able to
summarize it, I hope his life will be instilled in my own memory and lived as well, so that I will become
more and more inspired, in pursuit of my vocation as a future priest, and so as to inspire others in
responding also to God’s call, not only as a priest but a good steward and follower of Jesus Christ the
most High.