Charasmatic Catholics?

[donnyblake]

Can someone explain what the difference is between a Charasmatic Church and a “regular” Catholic Church? Is the Mass the same for the most part? Also, what does it mean to “speak in tongues”. What do people say when they do this? How did the people gain this ability? Do people in a “regular” Catholic Mass ever speak out in tongues? Please give me as much info on the Charasmatic Movement as possible. Thank you very much!

 

[brigid12]

Since I have a participated in Charismatic Catholic activities I’ll try to answer you.

No, the Mass is not different. The beliefs are not different. True Charismatic Catholics cling to the Pope and Magisterium. In private prayer or in prayer with other Charismatic Catholics is where the difference lies. Charismatic Catholics try to involve the gifts of the Spirit (tongues, prophecy, etc) in their prayer life. Since charismatic type prayer was a movement that seemed to come out of a protestant denomination there is 1) a lot of sceptism of the movement, 2) since there are dealings with spirits it is something that needs to be dealt with carefully so as not to be “channeling” an evil spirit - a lot of discernment and prayers to St. Michael, and 3) some individuals in it that may not adhere as closely to Rome as they might.

 

[fivegoldenrings]

I have never heard anyone speak in tongues during any Mass, Charismatic or not. From what I have experienced, the charismatic gifts are employed after the Mass, perhaps even in another room. I became involved in the Charismatic Renewal about 14 years ago, through a Life in the Spirit Seminar. I really gained a lot from it. I have not been very involved in recent years due to raising a busy family, including the birth of my disabled daughter. But it was a great experience, and it opened me up to some grace-filled adventures with Jesus. (Not that one can’t experience Jesus without it, of course! But He used it to get through to me, at that time.)

 

[johnstown_johnn]

As a cradle Catholic and Parochial school I am squeamish on the Charismatic form of posture.

I cannot be comfortable with holding hands or the spreading out of my arms with palms upward. I never saw a saint depicted in these postures. As for “tongues” I wonder if that takes place and people nearby cannot understand what is being orated. What’s the point?

Seems to me some are still adherants to Charismatic form but it is not growing (at least not from where I can see).

 

[passioncrosslov]

Since I have a participated in Charismatic Catholic activities I’ll try to answer you.

No, the Mass is not different. The beliefs are not different. True Charismatic Catholics cling to the Pope and Magisterium. In private prayer or in prayer with other Charismatic Catholics is where the difference lies. Charismatic Catholics try to involve the gifts of the Spirit (tongues, prophecy, etc) in their prayer life. Since charismatic type prayer was a movement that seemed to come out of a protestant denomination there is 1) a lot of sceptism of the movement, 2) since there are dealings with spirits it is something that needs to be dealt with carefully so as not to be “channeling” an evil spirit - a lot of discernment and prayers to St. Michael, and 3) some individuals in it that may not adhere as closely to Rome as they might.

I too would like to understand further. Charismatics focus intense on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, as you’ve mentioned. What is considered by Charismatics the most important gift and where do they base this teaching?

 

[Pani_Rose]

I too would like to understand further. Charismatics focus intense on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, as you’ve mentioned. What is considered by Charismatics the most important gift and where do they base this teaching?

The Catholic Charismatic Forum should be of help to you in your search ccc.garg.com

 

[barbfromtucson]

I went to a retreat a few years ago that turned out to be a Charismatic one. It ‘freaked’ me out at first.

While I do not have the ‘gift of tongues’, I do know of people who were healed during some of the healing services and such. I do know that some people have the gift of Interpretation–which is understanding what people are saying when they speak in tongues.

It is my understanding that it is a method of the Holy Spirit praising God through you. You don’t need to understand what you are saying.

I’m NOT the expert on the subject. You can go to ccc.garg.com/ and they have a discussion forum where you can ask all the questions you like about the Charismatic movement.

God Bless,

Barbara

 

[angelusm]

Can someone explain what the difference is between a Charasmatic Church and a “regular” Catholic Church? Is the Mass the same for the most part? Also, what does it mean to “speak in tongues”. What do people say when they do this? How did the people gain this ability? Do people in a “regular” Catholic Mass ever speak out in tongues? Please give me as much info on the Charasmatic Movement as possible. Thank you very much!

Catholic Charismatic Renewal is a Catholic Community within the Catholic Church. It began in 1967, earlier among protestants. Charismatic Catholics are normal Catholics, we just are also members of the Renewal.
Basic info about CCR: Holy Spirit is the founder, not any man.
Except for speaking in tongues, there also healings, prophesying, people fall on the ground during the prayer.
Speaking in tongues happened during the Pentecost (Acts…), we speak (or sing) in languages that we never learned. Usually they are dead languages from the Middle East but also angelic or modern languages. You can receive this gift (and others) by baptism in the Holy Spirit. I strongly recommend joining a charismatic community. God bless.

 

[johnstown_johnn]

The Church has no Charismatic saints. To cradle Catholics this form is alien to most of us. It has a kind of foreboding.

 

[CB_Catholic]

The Church has no Charismatic saints. To cradle Catholics this form is alien to most of us. It has a kind of foreboding.

??? Yes they do. St. Paul being one of them. Read the NT and see how many people we call Saints from the early Church manifested the Charisms of the Holy Spirit, including the 12 Apostles. They went about preaching, teaching, healing, and they gave prophecy, spoke in tongues, etc.

 

[donnyblake]

You can receive this gift (and others) by baptism in the Holy Spirit. I strongly recommend joining a charismatic community. God bless.

So, I would need to get baptized a second time to recieve these gifts? I thought Catholics believed in one true baptism? There are Catholics who are getting baptized as adults after being baptized as infants prior? That seems odd to me.

 

[Belle10]

The Church has no Charismatic saints. To cradle Catholics this form is alien to most of us. It has a kind of foreboding.

Good morning everyone

I have been Catholic my entire life. While at a Catholic youth conference in high school, I witnessed many Catholic teens experience the gifts of speaking in tongues, the gift of laughter (you are SO HAPPY in the Holy Spirit that you just can’t stop laughing), the gift of tears (you aren’t sad, but you just can’t stop crying because you are overwhelmed by the Lord’s love through the presence of the Holy Spirit, and being slain in the Spirit. I can assure you that we were not trying to make these things happen, but that the Holy Spirit was moving within us, bringing us closer to Jesus through these experiences. I myself received the gift of tears and was slain in the Spirit (it has happened a few times).

I attended a healing Mass last year at the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Massachusetts. I went up to be prayed over by the priest and to receive a blessing, but didn’t expect to be slain in the Spirit like many others who were – I just wasn’t “feeling” the Spirit that evening. So, I carried my baby up with me. Well, I’ll never go with that mindset again! The Holy Spirit decided to give me the gift, and I was slain in the Spirit despite not “feeling” it and holding my baby. (Don’t worry, my mother grabbed my daughter and a catcher caught me.)

I could go on and on, but I would just say this: don’t be sacred or judgmental until you learn more about this. I love my church (which is traditional) and I love attending Charasmatic Masses on occasion. Being on fire for Jesus through the Holy Spirit is a good thing.

“Each person is given something to do that shows who God is.” ~1 Corinthians 12:7

 

[Belle10]

You can receive this gift (and others) by baptism in the Holy Spirit. I strongly recommend joining a charismatic community. God bless.

So, I would need to get baptized a second time to recieve these gifts? I thought Catholics believed in one true baptism? There are Catholics who are getting baptized as adults after being baptized as infants prior? That seems odd to me.

No, you don’t need to be baptized again. It’s more a figure of speech – the Holy Spirit “baptizes” you with anew, setting you afire for Jesus, renewing your spirit. The Catholic teaching of one baptism is correct.

 

[johnstown_johnn]

If a Catholic, such as myself, chooses to distance himself from the Charismatic movement is he/she lost? Is salvation then out of reach?

Does one insult the Holy Spirit if one does not accept or believe in this movement?

If the answer “Yes” to one of these questions then are my forebears in Limbo or denied the Presence of the Holy Spirit since they did not believe in this movement/worship/“gift”?

In not accepting the Charismatic movement is it then that unforgiveable sin “…the sin against the Holy Spirit”?

Why has no pope ever conducted a Charismatic meeting?

These are valid questions and it addresses something that is very strange to orthodox Catholics. The sacraments are the means to salvation, we believe.

Does the Charismatic segment have a sacrament that we do not know about?

The Apostles Creed does not touch on “tongues” or “healings” or “prophesies.”

 

[Belle10]

If a Catholic, such as myself, chooses to distance himself from the Charismatic movement is he/she lost? Is salvation then out of reach?

Does one insult the Holy Spirit if one does not accept or believe in this movement?

If the answer “Yes” to one of these questions then are my forebears in Limbo or denied the Presence of the Holy Spirit since they did not believe in this movement/worship/“gift”?

In not accepting the Charismatic movement is it then that unforgiveable sin “…the sin against the Holy Spirit”?

Why has no pope ever conducted a Charismatic meeting?

These are valid questions and it addresses something that is very strange to orthodox Catholics. The sacraments are the means to salvation, we believe.

Does the Charismatic segment have a sacrament that we do not know about?

The Apostles Creed does not touch on “tongues” or “healings” or “prophesies.”

I’m no scholar or theologian, but here’s what I think:

The Catholic Church teaches that accepting Jesus as one’s Savior and Lord is what is necessary for salvation. While a devotion to Mary often helps people draw closer to Jesus, it is not required by the Church, but you might be missing out on a deeper relationship. I know plenty of Catholics who have accepted Jesus as their Savior but who aren’t comfortable praying to Mary for her intercession. (I myself am feeling drawn to her only recently.) It doesn’t mean that these people are going against the Church or anything, it just means they might be missing out on a deeper experience.
I think it’s similar with the gifts of the Holy Spirit through Charasmatic Masses. If someone isn’t comfortable with the setting, that’s fine – it’s not required that they raise their hands in praise to God or anything like that. But might they be missing out on something deeper? Perhaps – but we can’t know that. The Holy Spirit chooses to bestow certain gifts on certain people who open their hearts to the Holy Spirit. You can’t force it, just like you can’t force a devotion to Mary or any of the saints – it is something God gives as a gift when a heart is willing to receive it.

Just to clarify a few things:
You mentioned that speaking in tongues is not mentioned in the Apostles’ Creed, which is true. It is mentioned in the Bible though (again, not a scholar, sorry I don’t have the references right at my fingertips!).
I don’t think you insult the Holy Spirit by not participating in Charasmatic Masses. If the Holy Spirit wants to move in you, He will, and that’s that. After all, He’s part of the Holy Trinity!
The most important thing to remember is that, at least in my experience, people who call themselves Charasmatic Catholics mean that they are on fire for God: they combine the beautiful tradition of the Catholic Church’s teaching (which they adhere to) with the zeal and excitement often found in other denominations. It’s not meant to insult “traditional” Catholics. It’s simply that they’re so excited about praising God they can’t keep quiet – and that can’t be a bad thing, right?

 

[johnstown_johnn]

As a traditional Catholic I received the Holy Spirit through a SACRAMENT and not by some “calling on the Holy Spirit” The Sacrament is Confirmation. It is performed only ONCE and the Holy Spirit dwells within us from that time onward.

Silent prayer and prayer as a community (rosary, Eucharistic Adoration, etc.) are time-honored practice of the Faith.

Prayer need not be loud and animated; interior prayer makes a personal connect with God. So, if one receives the Holy Spirit in the sacrament of Confirmation then, the Holy Spirit is always present in the days of our lives.

Tongues and prophesy attained through Charismatic assembly has never been a part of current events and not one person so gifted has become a latter day prophet.

Ther is something missing in all this.

 

[mercygate]

I have never heard anyone speak in tongues during any Mass, Charismatic or not. From what I have experienced, the charismatic gifts are employed after the Mass, perhaps even in another room. I became involved in the Charismatic Renewal about 14 years ago, through a Life in the Spirit Seminar. I really gained a lot from it. I have not been very involved in recent years due to raising a busy family, including the birth of my disabled daughter. But it was a great experience, and it opened me up to some grace-filled adventures with Jesus. (Not that one can’t experience Jesus without it, of course! But He used it to get through to me, at that time.)

How can one find “Life in the Spirit?” I understand these are wonderful.

 

[mercygate]

As a traditional Catholic I received the Holy Spirit through a SACRAMENT and not by some “calling on the Holy Spirit” The Sacrament is Confirmation. It is performed only ONCE and the Holy Spirit dwells within us from that time onward.

Silent prayer and prayer as a community (rosary, Eucharistic Adoration, etc.) are time-honored practice of the Faith.

Prayer need not be loud and animated; interior prayer makes a personal connect with God. So, if one receives the Holy Spirit in the sacrament of Confirmation then, the Holy Spirit is always present in the days of our lives.

Tongues and prophesy attained through Charismatic assembly has never been a part of current events and not one person so gifted has become a latter day prophet.

Ther is something missing in all this.

There is no essential conflict between any Catholic teaching or sacrament and the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit.

 

[Belle10]

As a traditional Catholic I received the Holy Spirit through a SACRAMENT and not by some “calling on the Holy Spirit” The Sacrament is Confirmation. It is performed only ONCE and the Holy Spirit dwells within us from that time onward.

Silent prayer and prayer as a community (rosary, Eucharistic Adoration, etc.) are time-honored practice of the Faith.

Prayer need not be loud and animated; interior prayer makes a personal connect with God. So, if one receives the Holy Spirit in the sacrament of Confirmation then, the Holy Spirit is always present in the days of our lives.

Tongues and prophesy attained through Charismatic assembly has never been a part of current events and not one person so gifted has become a latter day prophet.

Ther is something missing in all this.

I received the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation as well. But who am I to tell God in the Holy Spirit that Confirmation is the only time in which He should dwell in me? See what I mean? If the Holy Spirit chooses to grant me the gift of speaking in tongues, how can that be wrong? Just because something hasn’t been part of tradition doesn’t mean it’s wrong. Unfortunately, since I am not a theologian, I don’t have specific examples to give here, but we are called to praise God always…

“Prayer need not be loud and animated; interior prayer makes a personal connect with God”
You’re right, prayer doesn’t need to be loud and/or animated, but it can be:

Job 8:21
He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.

Job 33:26
He prays to God and finds favor with him, he sees God’s face and shouts for joy; he is restored by God to his righteous state.

Psalm 27:6
Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.

Psalm 42:4
These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng.

Psalm 47:1
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. ] Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.

Psalm 65:13
The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing.

Psalm 66:1
For the director of music. A song. A psalm. ] Shout with joy to God, all the earth!

Psalm 98:4
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music;

Psalm 98:6
with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn— shout for joy before the LORD, the King.

Psalm 105:43
He brought out his people with rejoicing, his chosen ones with shouts of joy;

Isaiah 16:9
So I weep, as Jazer weeps, for the vines of Sibmah. O Heshbon, O Elealeh, I drench you with tears! The shouts of joy over your ripened fruit and over your harvests have been stilled.

Isaiah 48:20
Leave Babylon, flee from the Babylonians! Announce this with shouts of joy and proclaim it. Send it out to the ends of the earth; say, “The LORD has redeemed his servant Jacob.”

Isaiah 52:8
Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy. When the LORD returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes.

Jeremiah 31:7
This is what the LORD says: "Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations. Make your praises heard, and say, ‘O LORD, save your people, the remnant of Israel.’

Jeremiah 48:33
Joy and gladness are gone from the orchards and fields of Moab. I have stopped the flow of wine from the presses; no one treads them with shouts of joy. Although there are shouts, they are not shouts of joy.

Now, I’m not trying to upset you, because I, like you, LOVE the sacredness and reverence of our Catholic Mass. I’m just saying that sometimes the Holy Spirit overwhelms you so much with Christ’s love and expressing that is OK! We are supposed to praise God with all our being. As you mentioned, for many people, quiet reflection and prayer is what brings them close to God (including me). I think that, coupled with excitement for all the great things God has done, is a wonderful thing!

“No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.” --Matthew 5:15

God bless.

 

[juliamajor]

As a cradle Catholic and Parochial school I am squeamish on the Charismatic form of posture.

I cannot be comfortable with holding hands or the spreading out of my arms with palms upward. I never saw a saint depicted in these postures. As for “tongues” I wonder if that takes place and people nearby cannot understand what is being orated. What’s the point?

Seems to me some are still adherants to Charismatic form but it is not growing (at least not from where I can see).

What’s to be squeamish about? Orans is a prayer posture-probably taken from the Jewish form of prayer(standing hands unclasped). If you google "orans " under images you will see that it is a prayer position that is quite ancient. Early Christians liked the posture because it reminded them of the Risen Christ -hands up-palms outward to display HIS wounds. It is also one of the nine posture of prayer St. Dominic recommended(I wouldn’t recommend the scourging one-orans is much easier on the body lol) as for tongues most use it as a private prayer language between God and the prayer. just because it looks odd doesn’t mean it’s wrong or right for that matter-it it’s just another way we can try to understand and communicate with God while we are still in flesh.