Meet Your Retreat Leaders

Cardinal-elect Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap., was born in Ascoli Piceno, Italy on July, 22 1934 and was ordained a priest in 1958. He spent the first twenty years of his priesthood earning two advanced degrees and became the Ordinary Professor of History of Ancient Christianity and Director of the Department of Religious Sciences at the Catholic University of Milan.

In 1979 he resigned his teaching position to become a full time preacher of the Gospel. In 1980 he was appointed by Pope John Paul II to Preacher to the Papal Household, confirmed in that position by Pope Benedict XVI in 2005 and by Pope Francis in 2013. In this capacity he preaches weekly sermons during Advent and Lent in the presence of the Pope, the cardinals, bishops and prelates of the Roman Curia and the general superiors of religious orders.

Chris Stefanick is an internationally acclaimed speaker, author, and TV show host, who has devoted his life to helping people live the lives they were made for in Jesus Christ and His Church.

Recipient of the Papal Benemerenti Medal, Archbishop Charles J. Chaput calls Chris “one of the most engaging defenders of the Christian faith on the scene today.” His Coaching Programs have helped tens-of-thousands of people transform their lives in Christ.

A graduate of the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Chris is the founder and president of Real Life Catholic, a nonprofit which operates as the headquarters for Chris’ various initiatives. Above all, Chris is proud to be the husband to his wife, Natalie, and father to their six children.