It’s great to be back in the Aula, i. e. The great hall that is contained in the nave of St. Peter’s Basilica. On the aisle are marked the lesser dimensions of Christianity in vast churches, Notre Dame of Paris, Westminster, and St. Mark’s of Venice. There is a story that when an American prelate asked why no American church was so honored, Pope Pius XII replied that Rome thought the Americans would be offended -- their churches are so small in contrast with St. Peter’s. But St. Patrick’s of New York is now marked.

Seen almost empty, St. Peter’s is unbelievably large. But when the 2,200 Council Fathers are in their places, it is as warm and familiar as a parish church. They are dressed in “choir robes” red cassock, white surplice and red cape with a zuccheto or skull-cap.

At 8:45, the place is humming with voices and hustling with bishops. We are accustomed now to the Eastern prelates in a wide variety of robes, sometimes black with a veil covering the head, sometimes with a sort of crown. Most of them are bearded. Yesterday, I met Archbishop Speier, the Maronite Father with whom I shared a spot in a Life magazine photograph in 1962. Noting the reduction of my earlier weight by forty pounds, he exclaimed in unbelief: “Hallinan gross I know very well, but Hallinan petite I do not know at all!”

In the front-center is the table of presidents, reassured for us by the presence of two Americans, Cardinals Spellman and Shehan. Directly ahead of them is the moderators’ table -- the four “expediters”: Cardinals Lercaro, Suenens, Dophner and Agagianian. Then the altar of the daily Mass, and the honored place of the Book of Gospels which is enthroned each day during the Introit. From my place on the left side (S-for sinister of left; 0165, the seat number), the pulpit is to the right of the altar. From it the deacon reads the daily lessons at Mass during the sessions, it is the lectern for announcements. The desk of the secretaries-general is to the side. The familiar figure of Archbishop Krol of Philadelphia is found here.

The Protestants observers are right behind the pulpit, “the best seats in the house,” as they and we happily agree. I frequently stop by to exchange ideas with some of them whom I have come to know -- Dean Cannon of Emory University, Bishop Fred Corson of Philadelphia, and Dr. Albert Outler of Southern Methodist University.

The auditors are in the opposite “tribune,” to the left of the altar. Here are familiar Americans like Martin Work of the National Council of Catholic Men, James Norris who addressed the Council last year, and the energetic Sister Mary Luke.

Atlantans Are Guests

Guests are seated in the other two tribunes to the sides of the impressive Bernini altar. Dr. Jospeh Wilber was there each morning for Mass, until his return last week to Atlanta. Father Eusebis Beltran sometimes sits there, but most of the time he is moving in wider circles with the American periti who are a key factor in the ferment. Their regular place is in one of the galleries above the Council Father, but the very nature of their contribution calls for constant study and consultation. The best formula for this is to keep “at large.” History is being made in the corridors and coffee-bars, and these skilled dedicated priests from all nations are both making and writing it.

The famed coffee-bars seem more quiet and functional now than in the stormy days of 1962 and 1963. The Coke supply is apparently endless, and the Atlanta symbol is competing well with cafe expresso, cafe au lait and other well-meant variations from what we call a cup of coffee.

The corridors and coffee-bars became very excitable after Pope Paul’s sudden action on the Apostolic Synod September 15, and again when he insisted upon the vote for religious liberty, September 21. But there is less talk of “good guys” and “bad guys,” as the consensus of the bishops continually reveals an overwhelming majority determined to work with the pope in this almost incredible renewal of Catholicism.

“Everyone Out”

From 9 to 10 a.m., St. Peter’s is a great congregation as the Fathers speak or sing their parts while the celebrant of the day offers the Mass facing them. Then “Exeant Omnes!” -- everybody out except those who have a right to be there. Then the opening Council prayer, the listing of the morning’s speakers, and the congregation becomes a Senate of concern and responsibility.

From 10 until 12:30 p.m., the speeches, votes and announcements go on. Good, bad and indifferent Latin comes in German, Italian, American, Spanish, African, English, Arabic, Asiatic accents. Each speaker is announced: “Now may speak Joseph Cardinal Ritter, Archbishop of St. Louis in the United States. Bishop Emile de Smedt, Bishop of Bruges in Belgium should proceed to the microphone, and “batter’s box,” with a nearby place for the man up next.

Sometimes we look up at Michaelangelo’s mighty dome and read: “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.” P.S. It is good to know that the unknown non-automated bishop is back. He has been refusing to use a sense-pencil on his ballots since 1962. So the impersonal computer always repeats after placet and non-placet votes, “null-one.” He is our undisputed champion against the overwhelming machine. But his protest, like those of so many other rugged individuals, seems to be defeating itself.