APOSTOLIC PREACHER. — He is the preacher chosen by the Supreme Pontiff to preach on appointed days before him, the cardinals, bishops, superiors and procurators general of the religious Orders, and the prelates of the Curia. The a. p. therefore forms part of the noble Pontifical Household (v.) and becomes a palatine prelate, with the right to attend the papal chapels and with other privileges.
The origin of the office of the a. p. seems to date from 1555, under Paolo IV, and until Benedetto XIV it was entrusted to priests chosen from the various religious Orders, especially Jesuits and Capuchins; on 2 March 1743, Benedetto XIV entrusted it in perpetuity to the Capuchin Friars.
The a. p. ordinarily delivers his sermons in the Throne Room: during Advent, on the feasts of s. Andrea Apostolo, s. Nicola vescovo, s. Lucia, and s. Tommaso Apostolo; during Lent, every Friday. The sermons are delivered in Italian, except that of Good Friday, which is delivered in Latin in the Sistine Chapel, after the singing of the Passio. The Pope attends unseen, behind the so-called bussola; the a. p. receives his blessing before the sermon. Although a member of the Pontifical Household, the a. p. resides at the General Curia of his Order, since the Superiors General had been instructed to this effect by Benedetto XIV himself. Among the most famous a. p. are remembered: A. Salmeron and F. Toledo, of the Society of Jesus;
F. M. Casini d'Arezzo and Lodovico Micara da Frascati, Capuchins, later cardinals.