Apostolic Preacher Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, the only priest allowed to preach to the Pope, arrived in the country Saturday afternoon to head the forthcoming congregation of Catholic priests in the country.

The Italian priest arrived from the Vatican at 1:30 p.m. aboard a Singapore Airlines flight. He was met at the airport by Papal Nuncio Edward Joseph Adams and Philippine Ambassador to the Vatican Henrietta De Villa.

Fr. Cantalamessa will act as the retreat master for the more than 5,000 priests from all over the country who will attend the 2nd Philippine National Congress of the Clergy which will be held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City from January 25-29, 2010.

The Apostolic Preacher, also known as the Preacher to the Palal Household, will give meditation to the biggest ever congregation of priests in Asia, and remind them of their duties.

“My desire is to help the priests experience Pentecost,” Fr. Cantalamessa said.

The Apostolic Preacher said that he expects the more than 5,000 priests attending the retreat to become better servants of Jesus by serving the people by giving them hope.

“I think this retreat will result in a big gain for the (Philippine) nation, especially because it will be attended by more than half of the clergy in the country.”

According to Fr. Cantalamessa, Pope Benedict XIV sent a special message to the Filipino people which will be read by Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams on Monday at the Manila Cathedral.

Fr. Cantalamessa was appointed as the Papal Apostolic Preacher way back in 1980 by Pope John Paul II. He is in charge of reminding the Papal Court of their respective duties and preaches a weekly sermon in Advent and Lent in the presence of the Pope, the cardinals, bishops, and prelates of the Roman Curia – the central governing body of the entire Catholic Church.

Fr. Cantalamessa will stay in the country for the entire duration of the Congress and will return to the Vatican on January 30, 2010.