A year ago next Sunday, on November 28, 2020, Pope Francis created thirteen new cardinals. Some of the cardinals were appointed in the context of the important dioceses they lead, such as Cardinal Wilton Gregory of Washington, D.C. Others, Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, head of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, were appointed in the context of Vatican offices. Still others were named cardinals, such as Cardinal Cornelius Sim, Apostolic Vicar of Brunei, to highlight an important missionary effort. Then there are the Cardinals who were named specifically for their service in the various apostolates of the Church.

Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap was given the red hat in recognition of the role he has played in the spiritual life of the papal household. His job at the Vatican is to preach to the Pope and those who work closely with the pope. He was appointed preacher to the papal household at the age of 46 by Pope Saint John Paul II. He has held that office ever since, continuing after the death of Pope Saint John Paul II through the papacies of Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis.

I have been aware of Cardinal Cantalamessa since I was a seminarian in Roma. Two things stuck out for me when I first heard about him. First I thought it interesting that the Pope had his own personal preacher. What a difficult job that would be! Imagine preaching to Pope Saint John Paul II. It’s like they say, “what do you give to someone who has everything?” The other thing that made me remember Cardinal Cantalamessa was his interesting name. In Italian it seems to mean “sing the Mass”. Perhaps a family member way back was a chorister. How appropriate for a preacher.

While I was in the seminary, I didn’t quite appreciate the importance of the role of a preacher to other priests. I had the luxury of listening to some of the greatest living theologians during my university lectures. I also listened to homilies from different priests who taught at the seminary. For many years when I myself taught in the seminary, I had the benefit of listening to my colleagues as we concelebrated Mass. It wasn’t until I worked for many years as a pastor did I appreciate the opportunity to hear another priest or deacon preach.
In this modern time of video and audio, either live or remote or recorded, the fact that Cardinal Cantalamessa has continued to fulfill his role should make us all appreciate the unique opportunity that comes from hearing a sermon or homily live, in person. Remote access to sound and video, and even the abundance of the printed word can tempt us not to devalue the essential difference between speaking to or hearing someone in person and transmitted or recorded media.

When you are speaking directly to a person, there is an accountability there that can’t be under-estimated. In the era when more information is available than ever before, so much more abundant have become the proliferation of lies and the manipulation of the truth to serve only the ends of the speaker without regard to the listener. We have turned more and more to artificial communication media to find identity, community, and support. But how much does that virtual community truly make a difference beyond making us feel good or affirming us in our prejudices?

Cardinal Cantalamessa’s job requires him to lead the Advent and Lenten reflections for the papal household. This tradition of renewal through the Word goes back many centuries. For quite some time, the ministry of preaching was often disconnected from the celebration of the Mass. Sermons were preached at other prayer services or devotions taking place in the afternoon or evenings, especially on Sundays. The daily devotionals like The Word Among Us that we make available for Lent and Advent have their origins in this practice when people would gather in Church to hear special sermons for the seasons.

The renewal of the Liturgy of the Word through the efforts of Vatican II refocused the role of the preacher to the homily at Mass. Longer, more subject-oriented sermons were less common as small group, faith sharing became the model for breaking open the Word or studying the faith. Only the rare mission or retreat was an occasion to hear more sustained sermons. In this age of sound bites, our capacity to listen attentively for longer periods of time has decreased.

As I reflect on Cardinal Cantalamessa’s ministry, I am amazed that someone could have such a demanding and significant job for so long. The cardinal would be the first to tell you that it isn’t any special human attribute that has sustained his ministry. Our faith holds that the Word Made Flesh so that the voice of God is unmistakable. Those who are open to the grace of God fulfill their baptismal calling to share in the mission of evangelization as prophets of God’s love and mercy. As Advent draws near and we celebrate the season of the Incarnation, let us all open our ears to listen to the Word of God dwelling among us with renewed attention.

Cardinal Cantalamessa’s homilies and sermons can be found online in English translations at http://www.cantalamessa.org/?lang=en. You will be able to read this year’s messages from this authentic voice of faith, normally posted on Fridays in Advent.

I will be leading an Advent Reflection group every Wednesday at 6:30 PM in the parish center during PSR classes for anyone who wishes to join. We will be using the content “Prepare Ye”, a four-week, small group program created exclusively for our diocese, based on the Sunday Scripture readings for Advent 2021.  https://diojeffcity.org/advent-2021/ Please contact me if you would like to lead a group of your own this advent and I will assist you in providing the materials.