charismatic movement

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fredmack2

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Hi, my nearby church where i attend mass has a charismatic prayer group that prays every evening. What confuses me is they incorporate some things that i normally see in protestants and evangelicals like praying while shouting and crying, or not taking alcohol, this makes me feel like they are giving in to protestantism and they feel like some things are wrong in the church, i wonder if it is only here in my country or its universal because this is not my first place seeing charismatics doing such things. It really discourages me…in october i went for rosary prayers, and the leader was a charismatic, he even started it differently, i felt like just quiting the session.
 
those I know involved in Renewal don’t abstain from alcohol. And I’m including those influential in the NSC as well as some priests. And myself! 🙂
 
The charismatic renewal is a bona fide, accepted movement. It falls under the control of your local Bishop’s office. For information, the preacher of the Papal household is a charismatic Franciscan. Here is a link to the national committee of the charismatic renewal. As well, here is a link to an explanation of what is known as the baptism in the Holy Spirit. The movement, rather than moving toward protestantism, is reclaiming the genuine use of the charisms that we received at our Baptism and Confirmation. I would say that it is prudent for you to research this a bit, and ask some questions of your local group before proceeding. What I can tell you is that receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit (that is just a name, it is not a Sacrament) absolutely lit my faith on fire. Day and night difference. And, I have never uttered a single syllable in a tongue, as my gift is entirely different - yet each of our charisms is to be used for the building up of the Church.
 
fredmack2 said:
Hi, my nearby church where i attend mass has a charismatic prayer group that prays every evening. What confuses me is they incorporate some things that i normally see in protestants and evangelicals like praying while shouting and crying, or not taking alcohol, this makes me feel like they are giving in to protestantism and they feel like some things are wrong in the church, i wonder if it is only here in my country or its universal because this is not my first place seeing charismatics doing such things. It really discourages me…in october i went for rosary prayers, and the leader was a charismatic, he even started it differently, i felt like just quiting the session.
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Why don’t you attend one of the prayer group meetings and see what’s wrong with their praying?

Maybe the Lord is actually calling you to that form of prayer.

Jim
 
I just hate how so many Catholics think they have the gift of tongues. They are no different than the multitude of pentecostals that claim the same thing 😦 It’s a big step backwards (in my honest and humble opinion)
 
SaintFrancis333 said:
I just hate how so many Catholics think they have the gift of tongues. They are no different than the multitude of pentecostals that claim the same thing 😦 It’s a big step backwards (in my honest and humble opinion)
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By “the gift of tongues” do you mean speaking so people can hear you in other languages? Or do you mean praying in the spirit? Those are two different things; the first is rare; the second is not. Really, we all pray in the spirit with every breath we take, whether we’re aware of it or not.

Alan
 
SaintFrancis333 said:
I just hate how so many Catholics think they have the gift of tongues. They are no different than the multitude of pentecostals that claim the same thing 😦 It’s a big step backwards (in my honest and humble opinion)
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May I gently point out that other people, beside us, read the teachings of St. Paul.
 
SaintFrancis333 said:
I just hate how so many Catholics think they have the gift of tongues. They are no different than the multitude of pentecostals that claim the same thing 😦 It’s a big step backwards (in my honest and humble opinion)
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And you can prove that these Catholics don’t have the gift of tongues ?

Jim
 
fredmack2 said:
Hi, my nearby church where i attend mass has a charismatic prayer group that prays every evening. What confuses me is they incorporate some things that i normally see in protestants and evangelicals like praying while shouting and crying, or not taking alcohol, this makes me feel like they are giving in to protestantism and they feel like some things are wrong in the church, i wonder if it is only here in my country or its universal because this is not my first place seeing charismatics doing such things. It really discourages me…in october i went for rosary prayers, and the leader was a charismatic, he even started it differently, i felt like just quiting the session.
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It sounds like you have some criticisms of individuals and not necessarily about the Catholic Charismatic Renewal within the Catholic Church. We need to keep in mind that this Catholic Renewal is based on the teaching of St. Paul. It is not renewing Protestantism, etc.

An evening prayer group usually determines its own way of praying. While we may criticize it for not doing what we expect, it still has the right to pray to God.

As members of the Catholic Church, we have many forms of prayer. The greatest prayer is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass which is what distinguishes us from Protestantism, etc. We also have Adoration of the Eucharist. We should first direct our lives toward our Living Lord and then discover what forms of prayer are best for us as individuals.
 
JimR-OCDS said:
And you can prove that these Catholics don’t have the gift of tongues ?

Jim
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As a Catholic charismatic, may I gently point out that the issue is not how to prove who has which gift of prayer. That only leads to heated discussions and closed threads.
 
AlanFromWichita said:
By “the gift of tongues” do you mean speaking so people can hear you in other languages? Or do you mean praying in the spirit? Those are two different things; the first is rare; the second is not. Really, we all pray in the spirit with every breath we take, whether we’re aware of it or not.

Alan
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Personally, I believe that the gift of Tongues might not always be in a foreign ‘speaking’ language. In these worldly times, many speak a common language, and the population was less spread out 2000 years ago. I think that the ‘language’ of believers and non-believers when talking about our Savior is quite different. I believe it can be granted so that all that hear you, believe and understand. I’ve experienced that, during my personal gift of Grace time entrenched in the Holy Spirit; the Words were definitely not mine; I opened my mouth, words came out, and they were received and heard and understood. However, I did not come across anyone who spoke as foreign language (as far as I know). For all I know, I was speaking in a non-English language, now that I think about it…I don’t know.

I’m intrigued by the Charismatic movement…
 
I was raised in Evangelical type churches but for years remember feeling like there was something missing. I hungered for more of God, but it seemed that all they had to offer was salvation. I would listen to the altar calls at the end of the services, and want to go forward to get saved all over again or to rededicate my life, but knew that wasn’t the problem.

Then I encountered Charismatic Christianity. I was a bit taken back by them speaking in tongues and laying hands on the sick, but inside my spirit gave a huge sigh of relief! This was the MORE I was looking for! 30+ years later and I still love it. I just can’t be happy with a regular type of church service. There is something very special about inviting the Holy Spirit to participate in the meetings, and actually making room for Him to operate both in the service and in our individual lives through the gifts of the Spirit.
 
Just out of curiosity, how would one find a Catholic charismatic renewal meeting? Would it be as simple as calling the local church office? There’s nothing posted on the church calendar that I saw on their website.
 
ccmcmg said:
Personally, I believe that the gift of Tongues might not always be in a foreign ‘speaking’ language. In these worldly times, many speak a common language, and the population was less spread out 2000 years ago. I think that the ‘language’ of believers and non-believers when talking about our Savior is quite different. I believe it can be granted so that all that hear you, believe and understand. I’ve experienced that, during my personal gift of Grace time entrenched in the Holy Spirit; the Words were definitely not mine; I opened my mouth, words came out, and they were received and heard and understood. However, I did not come across anyone who spoke as foreign language (as far as I know). For all I know, I was speaking in a non-English language, now that I think about it…I don’t know.

I’m intrigued by the Charismatic movement…
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The Catholic Charismatic Renewal makes a distinction between two Holy Spirit gifts which use Tongues. In addition, there is the miracle of hearing in Acts 2: 5-8.
 
Tobias65 said:
I was raised in Evangelical type churches but for years remember feeling like there was something missing. I hungered for more of God, but it seemed that all they had to offer was salvation. I would listen to the altar calls at the end of the services, and want to go forward to get saved all over again or to rededicate my life, but knew that wasn’t the problem.

Then I encountered Charismatic Christianity. I was a bit taken back by them speaking in tongues and laying hands on the sick, but inside my spirit gave a huge sigh of relief! This was the MORE I was looking for! 30+ years later and I still love it. I just can’t be happy with a regular type of church service. There is something very special about inviting the Holy Spirit to participate in the meetings, and actually making room for Him to operate both in the service and in our individual lives through the gifts of the Spirit.
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May I offer a question? Could it be possible that the Holy Spirit is drawing people to the Seven Sacraments in the Catholic Church?
 
Tobias65 said:
Just out of curiosity, how would one find a Catholic charismatic renewal meeting? Would it be as simple as calling the local church office? There’s nothing posted on the church calendar that I saw on their website.
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One certainly can call the local church office. Parish secretaries are a gold mine of information.

Most church offices have a directory for the diocese which would provide the phone number for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal liaison to the Diocese. She or he is the person to talk to. If there is not an individual phone number for the liaison, ask for the office of spirituality or for the Vicar for spirituality. Then ask the secretary for this office about Charismatic Renewal groups and activities. In the Rockford diocese, the Renewal there has its own website.

I sincerely suggest that one check for charismatic groups which have the approval of the diocese.

The liaison for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal is usually under the diocesan Vicar for Spirituality. Sometimes a call to the diocesan office is the fastest way to get information.

The National Service Committee for the Catholic Renewal maintains a database of information about local areas. Here are some links which can be useful.

nsc-chariscenter.org/Search/

nsc-chariscenter.org/AboutCCR/

nsc-chariscenter.org/index.asp

In addition, I encourage people to attend a Catholic Life in the Spirit Seminar which benefits both the individual and the parish. There is no obligation to use Tongues in prayer.
This Seminar, usually once a week meeting for five or six weeks, is actually a renewal of our Faith.

These are links to Presentation Ministries.
presentationministries.com/brochures/MoreLife.asp

presentationministries.com/home/home.asp

Again, it is always best to check with one’s diocese regarding any charismatic group or organization.

It is possible that a group of people can freely form a prayer group and use Tongues in prayer without being a formal Catholic Charismatic Renewal organization. This involves a judgment call. Check with the parish pastor where the group is located.

Praying in Tongues, because it is a personal gift, can be used by anyone. However, this gift like all gifts and charisms of the Holy Spirit must be responsibly used in accord with Catholicism.
 
AlanFromWichita said:
So you hate them for their claims with no proof that they are phonies? :hmmm:

Hate first, ask questions later? 😃

I know that sentiment only too well… :rolleyes:

Peace and joy,
Alan
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Talk about putting words in someone’s mouth. I never said I hate anyone. I said I hate how so many people claim to have a gift from the Holy Spirit when Scripturally it is rare and has a purpose beyond excited gibberish. The Holy Spirit is not a dispensary of holy gifts that is on tap for anyone who wants a gift/charism/whatever. This charismatic movement “is” a legitimate movement. It’s just so outbof touch and being abused by individual groups that it’s impossible to discern a charismstic catholic from an evangelical protestant
 
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