jeevanjal.org/jeevanjal/origin-ccr.html
“The Cross and the Switchblade” is a great story. I suggest you watch the movie. If this wasn’t the work of God, I’m not sure what is. I can relate to this story because my conversion from agnosticism to Evangelical Protestantism was very supernatural.
As a former Charismatic/Evangelical Protestant, I’m well aware of how the power of God can move in a person’s life. Countless individuals caught up in drugs, sin, and all sorts of darkness have radically and miraculously transformed their lives through these denominations. To outright dismiss these movements as demonic is pathetic and ridiculous, to be charitable. It’s also a small-minded view of God and His love.
The point of my post was that the renewal took place in the midst of the most Blessed Sacrament. Furthermore, we know that JPII and others encouraged the growth of the renewal. I also think there is a correlation between the CCR and the growth of the Church in modern times. The Church is thriving where the renewal is evident; this is hardly a spurious relationship. Africa is probably the best example, and there are others.
As a person who loves diversity and can appreciate different expressions of worship, I strongly support the Charismatic Renewal, as well as the Tridentine Mass. As a person who needs theological clarity, structure, and authority, I find that both of these movements (Charismatic and Ultra-Traditional) have an important place in the Church. However, I am personally “middle of the road,” though open to both.
Let me reiterate Patti Gallagher’s words:
The Saturday night of the weekend had been set aside for relaxation. It was planned to celebrate a birthday party of one of the priests, but the party was rather slow in getting started, so Patti (Gallagher) went to gather people to come. On her way, she stopped in the second floor chapel. She remembers,** "I wasn’t going in to pray, just to tell any students there, to come down to the party. But as I entered into the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and knelt there, I was filled with a sense of awe. I had always believed by the gift of faith, that Jesus is really present in the Blessed Sacrament, but I had never experienced His glory. As I knelt there, my body literally trembled before His majesty. I felt really scared and said to myself, 'Get out of here quick because something is going to happen if you stay in the presence of God.’ As I knelt there before the Lord, for the first time in my life, I prayed what I would call a prayer of total surrender. I said, 'Father I give my life to you and whatever you want of me, that’s what I choose. If it means suffering, then I accept that. Just teach me to follow your Son Jesus and to learn to love the way He loves.’”**
You can believe this was demonic. I believe this was from the hand of our merciful and loving Abba Father.