Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa - Preacher to the Papal Household

We are fortunate to experience a retreat week at the Casa O'Toole (at the North American College) with preacher to the papal household, Rev. Raniero Cantalamessa, OFMCap.  When people remark to him that it's a great honor to do this he claims it honors the pope more than it does the preacher.  The position goes back to 1555 under the efforts of Pope Paul IV for the reform of the Church and the Curia.  Since 1743 it has been the task particularly held by someone from the order of Capuchin Friars Minor.  The role consists of presenting a meditation to the pope, cardinals, bishops, prelates of the Curia and superior generals of religious orders every Friday in Advent and Lent.

What is truly amazing about this man is not so much WHAT he preaches, it's HOW he preaches. You can tell it comes not only from his head but his heart as well.  It is a synthesis of his own life of prayer and reflection.  Further, his conversion experience really has it's foundation in the charismatic movement.  He had been invited to the Charismatic Renewal in Kansas City years ago and discovered something about the Word of God that inspired him.  He said it was no longer just words on pages but a lived word that needed to "go forth."

Cantalamessa has preached to John Paul II, Benedict XVI and now, Pope Francis.  He's given two talks before both conclaves that elected the last two popes.  He tells the story about how Pope JPII had been traveling to Central America during Lent and missed two sermons.  Upon his return he apologized to Cantalamessa for having missed his sermons.  In reflecting on this, the preacher of the papal household said, "Have you ever gone to your parish priest and asked pardon for missing the homily of the previous Sunday?

Fr. Cantalamessa's first talk this morning was about living from the spirit and his homily at Mass challenged us to look beyond the "front" of the cross to the "back of the cross."  He said it is not just recalling the historic event of Christ's suffering but looking beyond that to the glory of the Resurrection.  It's a great reflection for us, at Holy Angels, as we prepare to erect a new crucifix next year!

I am eagerly anticipating more from this inspiring and inspired preacher!