Are Catholic Charismatics different than Protestant?

[johndoe100]

“I have some ideas about these comments. However, I need a bit of time before replying. Also I noticed your usage of Christmatic. Please tell me more about that.”

Hello grannymh,

My own definition of Christmatic, that is based on my 36 year swim, is an emotional form of the Christian Faith that is non-denominational.

 

[grannymh]

I think that the history of the modern charismastic movement should be taken in the context here.I know that it is not unknown to you ,but others reading this thread may not know the facts.

(1) There has always been protestant charismatic churches & groups,The Baptist Church & Assemblies Of God are two American groups that come to mind.They are noted for the use of charismatic worship and praise.They pray in “Tongues”, have deliverance of evil spirits,songs of praise and spontaneous prayer.healing & testimony.

(2) In the early sixties some of Anglican (Episcopalians)community asked the question “why cannot our communities do all this and too experience this type of spirituality”? Some did indeed do this and this type of worship grew within this community,especially by the “low church” believers.

(3) Not much later there were catholics who asked this question as well.They formed “catholic” charismatic movements.Now this became a problem with some of these zealeous new charismatics.There was a significant number who left the catholic church and joined protestant charismatic churches and enjoyed the fellowship there.In the earlier eighties this pasteral problem came to the attention of Blessed Pope John Paul 11.He asked the bishops around the world to appoint pastors to act as chaplains to these groups.This helped to put the charismatic minded people within the catholic community on a sure foundation.This action also helped to educate these same charismatic catholics on the theology of The Holy Spirit within a sacramental catholic framework.

(4)Since this time there have emerged wonderful ,vibrant and faithfilled groups,religious communities that are Spirit filled and are very active within our churches.I have witnessed wonderful prayer filled retreat days ;where there is Adoration Of The Blessed Eucharist,Holy Mass,times for Confession,reciting The Rosary,Chaplet of Divine Mercy–and yes, plenty of vibrant songs of worship,praying in tongues etc.etc…

If you are wondering,no I am not a charismatic and I prefer a medative silence and prayer;but I respect that we are all different.I remember attending a talk at one “prayer meeting” and this layperson was speaking about St.John Mary Vianney and he concluded that he thought that this priest was a charismatic, but did not know it.!! This is what I would like to be thought of----full of the gifts of The Holy Spirit but not revealed in an outward show—maybe one day this might become a reality!!

 

[grannymh]

Hello grannymh,

I am doing this with an iPhone, so I can’t reply to a long post including a quote. Thanks for answering my questions. I didn’t realize that praying in Tongues in Common was one
of the gifts? There has been so much counterfeit in the Christmatic world that I thought that the Catholic Christmatics were faking-it. Not intentionally of course, but the fact that the members in the group I was in went to classes to learn how to pray in tongues made me think that they were trained seals.

Truthfully, with my Protestant anointing I clam-up when the leader says pray. The anointing must fall on me and I must sense the Presence of God first. Also, that group leader didn’t allow Impartion and laying on of hands to help people get baptize in the Holy Spirit, which made me even more supisious.

Just say’n

I have been thinking about your comment “Truthfully, with my Protestant anointing I clam-up when the leader says pray. The anointing must fall on me and I must sense the Presence of God first.”

I do not want to distract you from what you are doing.

However, the gift of prayer tongues can be received independently of any kind of anointing or laying on of hands. This is because the key to reception of the gift is that the person yields to the Holy Spirit. While the gift of prayer tongues is a permanent gift, one still needs to yield to the Holy Spirit in order to practice the gift. Remember that this gift is always under the control of the person. After 20 years, my yielding to the Holy Spirit is just about simultaneous with the beginning of prayer.

I would not react well if a leader said “pray” to me. When and how I pray is up to me. But if clamming up is a reaction, I may want to change that reaction in some way. Maybe I might check how I yield to the Holy Spirit and if that could be improved.

Another thought is that I wonder if you realize that prayer tongues does not always have to be vocal.

 

[grannymh]

“I have some ideas about these comments. However, I need a bit of time before replying. Also I noticed your usage of Christmatic. Please tell me more about that.”

Hello grannymh,

My own definition of Christmatic, that is based on my 36 year swim, is an emotional form of the Christian Faith that is non-denominational.

That is a good definition of Christmatic. Is that 36 year swim, the one across the Tiber? Perserverance wins.

 

[johndoe100]

That is a good definition of Christmatic. Is that 36 year swim, the one across the Tiber? Perserverance wins.

Yes, for sure I’m in Rome now, and I’m pretty much satisfied with going to Mass every morning. The Catholic Christmatic prayer groups are optional, as far as I’m concerned. Way much wandering from the Word of God and way to much relying on a Word from the Holy Spirit. I really don’t believe that I need anything other than my Bible, and I admire my Protestant friends.

 

[Michael_Francis]

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