Catholic Charismatic Questions and Answers

[SeattlePapist]

It sounds like a grotesque exaggeration to call something like babbling nonsense a “Gift of the Holy Spirit.” I first encountered the concept of “Speaking In Tongues” when a close friend tried to save me from the Catholic Church and lead me to his Pentecostal church. He criticized Catholic’s for not knowing the bible (i.e. not having bible verses memorized). This was an effective argument on me at the time. We were both about 16 years old.

Then he brought me to a prayer meeting where he explained that in his church there were actual healings all the time and the Holy Spirit would take possession of people and make them talk in tongues and sometimes fall to the floor uncontrollably. I must say this sounded a lot more exciting than the dutiful going through the motions that I, and it seemed like others around me, were experiencing at mass on Sundays.

I was getting pretty sucked in until they pressured me to “speak in tongues.” It seemed most of the people in the room had this mirraculas gift that day. They “Prayed” & babbled over me until I was beginning to feel like I would insult them if I didn’t start babbling something myself, so I did. I knew in my heart that my babbling was nothing like the special gifts spoken of those granted to the original apostles. After leaving the prayer meeting I remember feeling angry like I was coerced into doing something that I did not feel was honest. So much for being sucked in. What a turn off. Although I have always believed in miracles, I was left with the impression that this group was so obsessed with seeking something sensational and miraculous, they were missing most of the point of the gospel.

Well if John Paul II has given the CCR his blessing, then I can’t believe it is like what I experienced. But I must say, the lingo sure sounds like that used by the Pentecostals.

I certainly have a personal and intimate relationship with our Lord. Does this mean that I have received Baptism in the Holy Spirit without even knowing it was called that?

 

[EMK]

Seattle Papist:

the lingo sure sounds like that used by the Pentecostals.

The words may sound the same but the melodies sure are different.

You mentioned that you felt like you were coerced into something. I’d agree with that and add that your feelings matched up with what you were experiencing. Thoughts of being “suckered”, “hoodwinked”, “made to look foolish” along with feelings of disappointment, anger and fear would also be appropriate in that situation. (As a former counselor/therapist, I would have pronounced you a mentally healthy teenager. I can hear my former colleagues saying that that is an oxymoron. )

It would be all to easy to blame your experience on the fact that the group was non-Catholic, but, sad to say, I’ve heard of the same type of nonsense being done in a few Catholic Charismatic groups. I’m corresponding with a person, on another forum, who is a prime example of this.

That doesn’t mean that ALL charismatics are bad or misguided. Some are. Darn! Why do people have to be so, errr, ummm, human?! Why doesn’t God just force everyone to do what is best for their neighbor?

Unless you’re willing to take my word for it, that the Catholic Charismatic Renewal is a force for good in the Church, you’re probably going to have to have many more experiences with Catholic charismatics before you see what the Pope(s) and the bishops around the world have seen. I think you’ll agree that first impressions are lasting impressions. Trust me on this: the Holy Spirit can overcome “bad first impressions” in the blink of an eye, IF you want Him to.

OAN: You wondered if you were “baptized in the Spirit” without being aware of it and without knowing what to call it.

I doubt that anyone who didn’t know you quite well would be able to answer that question. No one, other than yourself, would be able to give a definitive answer to that. (Well, maybe a person like Padre Pio, who could read minds and hearts, could tell you.)

You also mentioned that you have an intimate and personal relationship with our Lord. Glad to hear that. Would you be willing to tell us about that experience? Maybe even start a new thread about how you experience your relationship with the Lord.

Peace,

 

[SeattlePapist]

EMK:

I’ve heard of the same type of nonsense being done in a few Catholic Charismatic groups. I’m corresponding with a person, on another forum, who is a prime example of this.

That doesn’t mean that ALL charismatics are bad or misguided. Some are.

I am interested in the CCR. My sister left the Church to become a pastor in a Pentecostal church. I mentioned the CCR to her as part of my appeal to her to see the beauty of the fullness of Christianity in the Catholic Church. Ironically, she told me she still believes in the real presence. I sometimes find it amusing to find Protestants who are more catholic in their thinking than most people who call themselves catholic today.

If it were not for her interest in charismatic worship, I would not mention the CCR. I would be afraid she would attend one of these meetings and be scandalized by people suggesting that they were experiencing something on the level of private revelation that amounted to nothing more than wishful thinking.

I hear charismatic worshipers refer to talking-in-tongues both as a method of prayer and as a spontaneous thing that overtakes their will as if the Holy Spirit suddenly prods them into issuing forth some prophetic piece of wisdom. Is there anything real to the later usage or does it exists merely to keep the former from sounding just silly?

My prayer life has been enriched by meditation. However, I also understand the importance keeping enough purpose and direction in my meditation so as not to invite undesirable spirits to inspire me. In the area of meditation a vacuum can be dangerous. Likewise, I wonder how a person can be sure the Spirit is saying things that are appropriate if you do not know what you are saying. If meditating on scripture and the writing of the saints doesn’t give one any thing to talk about in prayer, why not try being still and listening? What is the point of babbling on without being conscious of what one is expressing?

If there is an authentic charismatic out there who reads this, I sincerely do seek to understand the CCR.

 

[EMK]

Seattle Papist:

My sister left the Church to become a pastor in a Pentecostal church.

Fascinating!
I’ve had a number of women who had, apparently, been given the charism of teaching and “pastoring” ask me what they could do with those charisms in the Catholic Church. There didn’t seem to be any room for them as women “pastors” in the RCC. We put it before the Lord and He opened the doors. One woman started a retreat house. A couple entered teaching orders of nuns. Many are teaching and helping out with RCIA.

I sincerely do seek to understand the CCR.

While it might be possible to pick up some information about the CCR on a forum such as this one, I’d recommend using a clustering-search engine, e.g., vivissimo.com and searching for Catholic Chasrismatic Renewal. One of sites that you’ll find is ccc.garg.com where you can browse through the Archives. (The link is far down the left-hand column).

I’d also encourage you to check with your diocesan offices to see if there are any CCR prayer groups in your neck of the woods. Nothing beats talking with people face to face. I’m also convinced that “Faith comes through hearing.” (but not always through reading.)

Peace,