The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1962-10-12

to their plans. We shall not
see some again because they
left at once to visit family
relatives.
THE FIRST THING that
one does in Rome is to visit
st. Peters. We were fortu-
nate that ii was Sunday,
when the Holy Father comes
to the window of his room in
the Vatican at noon, says the
with the thousands
gathered in the square, and
blesSes them.
We were anxious not to
miss this first chance to see
the Pope, even though it be
a glimpse from a distance.
Yet, the figure in white
cassock is revealed sharply
against the background of
red Grapes in the window.
The Holy Fathers voice is
vigorous and is carried east
ly over the square by loud
speakers.
1t is difficult to realize
we are in Rome for the
Ecumenical Council. We
walked about the square of
Peters up to the doors of
the BaSilica. The reports
were true, it has been truly
closed to visitors. Peering in
side, we could see traces of
work that must be going on.
But there was no clear view
of the interior, the tiers of
seats in the nave, and other
preparations for carrying on
the procedure of the Council.
AN ECUMENICAL Coun-
Gil may take place anywhere
In the world. The choice of
is a natural one. 1t is
the See City of the Pope,
where he himself is the Bish-
op and where he lives. A
Council would be "at home
in Rome more than any,
where else. 1t is in Rome
that the congregations and
offices of the Church are To-
Gated. Nowhere else has
available as much informa-
ton of the activity of the
Church gathered from all
over the world.
st. Peters Basilica is the
largest church in Rome and
the world. It is built over the
tomb of st. Peter, Our Lords
first representative as His
vicar on earth. Millions of
people come to visit and to
pray. st. Peters has become
a symbolic center Of the uni
ty of the Faith, drawing all
men.
Because st. Peters was
closed, we offered Mass in
the Basilica of st. John La
teran on the first morning
after the arrival of the
group that was to be known
as the Columbus pilgrimage.
AND INDEED the group
acted like a pilgrimage. Dur
ing the next three days they
faithfully assisted at Mass at
st. John Lateran, the cata-
combs of st. Domitilla, and
st. Mary Major. The sched-
ule meant early rising and a
considerable bus ride. The
group gave an edifying and
inspiring example in joining
in the prayers at Mass and
In singing a hymn or two.
1t was a demonstration of
unity of faith and worship,
that a group such as ours,
gathered in the mother
church of all Christendom,
at ease and at home, and
Joined by others, strangers
in many respects but one in
the Mass.
We may hear more about
st. Peters, particularly be-
cause the Pope lives next
door In the Vatican, but the
Basilica of ST. John Lateran
is the Cathedral of Rome and
of the world. This is the
Pope's Cathedral church as
Bishop of Rome. When the
Popes lived in the Lateran
palace, which adjoins the Ba-
silica, ST. Johns saw a great
part of the history of Europe
unroll.
The property once belong
ed to the Lateran family. Elk
cavations under the church
have revealed Roman build
ings, older than the basilica
itself. The Roman Emperor
Constantine wished to have
erected this mother-churcf
of all Christendom, which
would be the Pope's own
1T WAS FIRST dedicat.
ed to Our Saviour, anG later
on to the two Johns, the Bap'
fist who is Our Lords prede'
cessor, and the Apostle who
Is the writer of the fourth
Schools