Charismatic Spirituality

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My teenage daughters and some of their friends and I have recently begun participating in a charismatic prayer group. I am feeling closer to the Lord now than ever in my 45 years of life and my children are as well.

We are finding that some folks are very negative about charismatic spirituality, particularly the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I am having a hard time sharing my excitement about this time in my life (which my daughters are not having) versus keeping this spirituality “under a basket.” I need some encouragement as well as answers to why are Catholics so negative about a close relationship with the Holy Spirit.
 
There is skepticism about the manifestations of the Spirit (tongues, healings, prophecies) and their authenticity. I believe if you concentrate on developing your prayer life and spirituality, as opposed to the manifestations, you will be less likely to err.

Ultra-conservatives, ever fond of labels, equate liberal and modernist tendencies with the charismatic movement. The older members of this movement do tend to overstep the boundaries.

They also disagree that lay people can heal and exorcise. This is for ordained people only. As far as I know, lay people (which would include women religious such as St. Cahtherine of Siena), are not banned from attempting, and there have been miracles at the intercession of lay people. I believe we need to attain a high degree of holiness, however, before God will work that way.

I think things like prophecy, healing and other manifestation gifts do occur through us to a small degree. The truly miraculous healings come about through very holy people. And for true demonic possesion,( as opposed to oppression and other more minor spirits), a properly trained and ordained priest (with a high degree of holiness) is what is necessary.

Charismatic spirituality focuses on the love and mercy of God. Conservative sprituality, as in the traditionalist movement ,focuses on judgement and wrath. Pros and Cons on either side, but, IMHO, balance is the key. 😉
 
kswood said:
My teenage daughters and some of their friends and I have recently begun participating in a charismatic prayer group. I am feeling closer to the Lord now than ever in my 45 years of life and my children are as well.

We are finding that some folks are very negative about charismatic spirituality, particularly the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I am having a hard time sharing my excitement about this time in my life (which my daughters are not having) versus keeping this spirituality “under a basket.” I need some encouragement as well as answers to why are Catholics so negative about a close relationship with the Holy Spirit.
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There will be negative folks about every aspect of the Catholic faith you follow.

Let the Lord lead you to where He wants you, and ignore those who attempt to block the way.

God Bless, I’m glad for you!

Jim
 
I remember as a child when my mom and other folks met weekly for prayer group and it was very charismatic. I remember being a little confused, not frightened, by the speaking in tongues. It has been a very long time since they last met and I wonder why. But today as an adult who is continually seeking GOD I can say that I often think of how happy I was being around those folks. I am interested in that close fellowship they shared but have a hard time finding anyone today involved with charismatic spirituality. I think the world has convinced many folks to hide.
 
kswood said:
why are Catholics so negative about a close relationship with the Holy Spirit.
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kswood,

Welcome to CAF and I am happy for you that your spiritual has changed for better.

I believe Ceil-1 has mentioned it; it is not about Catholics thinking negative about close relationship with the Holy Spirit, but it is more about how each Catholic wants to develop relationship with the Holy Spirit.

God works different ways for different souls, we can’t talk down anyone who genuinly wants to delveop the relationship - As a Catholic, we all just need to do the way that is approved by the Church.

From my own experience, I went to Charistmatic retreat before, and for this, my life has been changed. I still go to different Charismatic group at our parish to sing and pray for others. However, I don’t pray in tongue and ask for any supernatural gifts.

Do study the Bible! I have people who are so into Charismatic gifts but ignore studying the Bible. [it is more complicated that this but I won’t go to detail]
 
Hello fellow Charismatic Catholic:wave:

I, too, have found that many people in the Church are biased against the Charismatic movement, but this is by all means an exception, not a rule. Most Catholics (in some parishes anyway) couldn’t care less.

Just worship the Lord and don’t let any opinionated people tell you it is wrong. Many are upset about it because it is new to them and they don’t understand it. Give it time. God is doing a great work through the Charismatic movement.👍

God Bless
Joyful_1
 
The hardest part to deal with is that when one knows someone else is wrong yet he is still wanting to listen to that person. It is not necessary to believe what the person says, but by listening well without bad judgments, one can gain much more.
 
I think that a lot of people who are in the beginning stages of charismatic involvement become VERY enthusiastic because of their deeper and new knowledge of the Lord. This enthusiasm is a turnoff to people who either prefer or are accustomed to a less effusive expression of love for God.

Not to worry – God loves each of His children, and it doesn’t matter how we tell Him, “I love You.”

One interesting anecdote from one of the priests in our group many years ago. Two priests from the retreat center went to a prayer meeting and were prayed over for the “Baptism of the Spirit” (or “Fuller Release of the Spirit,” if you prefer). When they returned to their residence late in the evening, one of the priests told the other that he was going to his office to look something up in Scripture. Well, the priest said that he opened the Bible and all kinds of things popped out at him. He pulled out his highlighter and went to town, because all kinds of passages came to life in a new way for him. He said he looked up after a while and noticed the cleaning lady coming in. The cleaning lady comes in around 6am! He’d been up all night, captivated by a fresh appreciation for God’s Word!

God bless!
 
I used to attend a charismatic Wednesday night healing service which included a long and full evening of blessing the chapel with holy water, praying in reverent silence, praying aloud the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet, having Mass celebrated by a volunteer visiting priest, having after-Mass intercessory prayers (including tongues for some people), talks, witnesses, a blessing from Sister Monica who touched a crucifix to you which often resulted in “resting/being slain in the Spirit”, and closing Night Prayer apparently from the Liturgy of the Hours.

Because it was made obvious to everyone that the Mass was the high point of the evening, that true healing comes from Jesus the Divine Healer truly present in the Eucharist at Mass as well as in residence in the chapel tabernacle and the Sacrament of Confession … and equally obvious that those running the evening loved, respected and obeyed the Pope and the Teaching Magisterium of the Catholic Church, this charismatic group always had my admiration.

Now how surprised would you be to learn that I’m a Conservative who absolutely loves the Latin Mass and have attended an indult Tridentine Mass even before Pope Benedict’s Motu Proprio? 🙂

Perhaps those who are against charismatic spirituality have had a bad experience with it … As for me, my experience has been tremendously rewarding. I feel that the Lord has blessed me in providing opportunities in my life to grow closer to Him in different ways.

PAX ET BONUM,

~~ the phoenix
 
Wow, phoenix, that sounds like a wonderful way to spend a Wednesday evening. Thank you for sharing!

God bless!
 
Thanks for all of your replies. I know that the Lord is with me on this and that all that is really important is my relationship with Him, not what those who are negative think. Still, it is helpful to have support. Thanks again,
 
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