We have a Charismatic prayer group at out parish and they are pretty far from the clapping/loud music types we hear about.
They meet once a week in a small group, 12 to maybe 20 folks, and the meetings vary. Sometimes it focuses on Scripture, almost like a Bible Study, other times it focuses on things like the Rosary, lives of Saints, local pro-life efforts. I see it more as a kind of “Catholic spiritual growth” group than strictly a prayer group.
One thing they did that I thought was quite beautiful was to request an Adoration period with readings, led prayer, songs, and a homily by one of the priests. Now I’m a bit old school when it comes to Adorations; I prefer the quiet peaceful ones where I can focus on whatever and I went to this one not realizing it was NOT going to be like that. Saw Adoration on the monthly calendar and didn’t read the fine print, so to speak.
I went with the intention to pray the Divine Mercy chaplet and pray for a couple other important things but that was put aside when I walked in and picked up a program. Sadly, I began thinking I’m not going to like this AT ALL, but I decided to stay and found that it stands as living testimony that I have as much baloney between my ears as anyone else on the planet. I actually enjoyed it. It was, actually, one of most reverently done services I’ve ever witnessed outside of an actual Mass. The music was soft and prayerful, the readings were from Scripture, and the silent periods in between were very meaningful.
What this taught me was that I was wrong all those times I saw things like this and imagined them to be some sort of Guns n’ Roses concert performed before the blessed sacrament. This was magnificently done. Will I do to another one? Maybe, I just might, but I do prefer the silent Adoration where I can work on the things I feel are important to work on. But I would never so quickly dismiss these other types out of hand either.
