Catholic Charismatic Renewal

[Belloc_Fan]

So, even though we’re all baptized with water and the Holy Ghost, and even though we’re all confirmed and thereby receive the gifts of the Holy Ghost, only those who are somehow AGAIN baptized by the Holy Ghost experience this ‘release’ of the gifts of the Holy Ghost? WHAT!? And what are the gifts of the Holy Ghost??? If I remember correctly the gifts of the Holy Ghost are Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord, and as far as I can remember, these are gifts received at Confirmation.

Not sure if anyone answered your question, so here goes (and although I’ve read some on it, and know a few people who can speak in tongues, I’m far from an expert on this, so I’m sorry if I’m wrong on any of this):

Sacraments are channels of grace, but if you close yourself off to those channels, you may not receive the full benefit. Suppose you’re blind: Jesus can heal your blindness, but you if you keep your eyes shut all the time, you’ll never experience the gift you’ve already been given. Baptism in the Holy Spirit (and I’m not fond of that name myself, b/c it’s theologically a little confused) isn’t a new Sacrament, but opening our eyes to those gifts we’ve already received.

As for your concern re: “Baptism washes away sins” - as I understand, the focus in Baptism of the Holy Spirit is on discovering the charisms we’ve been given in Baptism and Confirmation, so I don’t think they’re claiming to deal with that part. Acts seems to connect Baptism with both the forgiveness of sins, and an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the believer. We normally focus on the first of the two, but I think the Catholic Charismatic Renewal wants to remind us of the second.

I read a book, They Speak in Other Tongues, which I found very helpful on this subject. It’s not a Catholic book, but it’s not anti-Catholic, either. Also, Sober Intoxication of the Spirit is a collection of short writings on it (they’re more prayerful meditations than anything), authored by the Preacher to the Papal Household (he was the personal pastor to Pope John Paul the Great, and is presently the pastor of Pope Benedict XVI).

There are enough orthodox trustworthy Catholics embracing this that I think it’s ok for us to accept it - so long as we remember that as with any renewal or reform within the Church (whether it be Vatican II, or the reforms instituted by St. Francis of Assisi), there will always be those who go too far, or hijack the renewal for their own selfish ambitions.

 

[dancny]

I don’t know if any one already said this or not but if your interested in a Catholic Charismatic prayer group or a church that has such a group you can call your diocese and ask them. Many, if not all dioceses have an office to liason with the Renewal

 

[jean8]

I don’t know if any one already said this or not but if your interested in a Catholic Charismatic prayer group or a church that has such a group you can call your diocese and ask them. Many, if not all dioceses have an office to liason with the Renewal

Charismatic Prayer Groups are folks seeking the gifts of the Holy Spirit. You can read about this in 1Cor.12 and Chapter 14 teaches about Spiritual gifts also.
Not all people are blessed with the gift of tongues, but they may have other gifts of the Holy Spirit. 1Cor.12:11 reads “:All these are the work of the one and same Spirit, and He gives them to each one, just as He determines.”
Ralph Martin appeared on EWTN and spoke of this. You can order a tape from The Journey Home.

God bless,
jean8