How can I know that my "speaking in tongues" is real and valid?

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Approximately 6 years ago, before coming into the Catholic faith, I prayed heavily for the gift of tongues. After a time, I felt that God had indeed blessed me with this gift, and I used to rely on it during my personal prayer time.

After coming into the Catholic faith in 2004, I stopped praying in tongues, mainly because I worried whether it really was a gift from God or just my own doing. Is speaking in tongues always a different, legitimate language, or can it be a form of speaking that only the Lord understands? I would dearly love to hear what others have experienced, or what more experienced Catholics might know regarding our faith. Thanks so much 🙂
 
I think the answer would be for you to answer this question for yourself, " what level of importance, do you place in speaking in tongues?"

I think once you answer that question, the rest of your question will be answered.

Jim
 
MichiganConvert said:
Approximately 6 years ago, before coming into the Catholic faith, I prayed heavily for the gift of tongues. After a time, I felt that God had indeed blessed me with this gift, and I used to rely on it during my personal prayer time.

After coming into the Catholic faith in 2004, I stopped praying in tongues, mainly because I worried whether it really was a gift from God or just my own doing. Is speaking in tongues always a different, legitimate language, or can it be a form of speaking that only the Lord understands? I would dearly love to hear what others have experienced, or what more experienced Catholics might know regarding our faith. Thanks so much 🙂
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One might distinguish between “speaking in tongues” – meaning speaking an actual language and “ecstatic utterance” – which seems to be what most people mean by “tongues” today.

One might also consider that even if such a gift were legitimate and God-given, it might not be a gift for all of one’s life but only for a certain period.
 
I have to say that I do miss it. But coming into the Catholic faith, it doesn’t seem like it’s a part of the faith–I only know of Protestants who tell me that they have the gift of tongues. Which is why I stopped. I want to follow what the True Faith teaches, and not something that I may have created myself. It gave me pleasure–should that tell me right there that it’s not a bad thing? Is speaking in tongues a “Catholic” thing to be doing?
 
MichiganConvert said:
I have to say that I do miss it. But coming into the Catholic faith, it doesn’t seem like it’s a part of the faith–I only know of Protestants who tell me that they have the gift of tongues. Which is why I stopped. I want to follow what the True Faith teaches, and not something that I may have created myself. It gave me pleasure–should that tell me right there that it’s not a bad thing? Is speaking in tongues a “Catholic” thing to be doing?
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The Catholic Charismatic Renewal is still very active (although somewhat diminished from its heyday). If you feel drawn to charismatic-style praise, you should find a local prayer group. Friends of mine belong to a VERY big, well organized Charismatic group that meets every Friday evening. The place is PACKED with families – and even the teenagers don’t want to be left home. They study/pray the readings for the upcoming Sunday Mass. They pray in “tongues” all the time.

Beats me. Not my gift. But these are some of the most devoted, most Catholic, most beautiful people you would ever want to meet.
 
The actual speaking in tongues is a Catholic thing. It is a gift from the Holy Spirit. The number of people blessed with speaking in tongues is pretty small. Speaking in tongues shouldn’t be unintelligable speech. It should be speaking in some language. Not a “language of the angels”. Speaking in “ecstatic utterances” is permitted with the charismatic movement, but it shouldn’t be confused with the true gift of speaking in tongues.
 
MichiganConvert said:
I have to say that I do miss it. But coming into the Catholic faith, it doesn’t seem like it’s a part of the faith–I only know of Protestants who tell me that they have the gift of tongues. Which is why I stopped. I want to follow what the True Faith teaches, and not something that I may have created myself. It gave me pleasure–should that tell me right there that it’s not a bad thing? Is speaking in tongues a “Catholic” thing to be doing?
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Actually, praying in tongues is part of Catholic Charismatic prayer.

However, the point of praying in tongues is for the edification of faith for others, not for self enjoyment.

You may have an attachment to it for reasons that you have to evaluate.

Christ doesn’t require us to speak in a language other than what we understand. In fact, the deepest prayers are those said in silence. Silence is where God speaks to us, for this is His language.

However, you have to evaluate the value you’re placing on praying in tongues. Just because others are doing it, doesn’t mean it has any value in bringing you closer to God. In fact, if its spiritual pride, it could be keeping you from growing spiritually.

Jim
 
My gift of tongues was only being used during my personal prayer time. I once attended a charismatic event, but my husband wasn’t comfortable with it. (He’s my cradle Catholic connection!) Since I’m not even bi-lingual, I don’t have any idea whether what I utter is related to another language or not. Perhaps it just comes down to trusting that the Lord will work through me however he chooses.
 
Thanks, Jim. I have to agree with you, that silent prayer is more powerful than anything. I shouldn’t look for something that perhaps wasn’t there for me to begin with. God has been working powerful things through my stepping up of traditional prayer, and I’ve been spending more time lately in silence with the Lord. (as our priest loves to say, “wasting time with the Lord.”) It is truly magnificent. Thanks much for the kind words. God bless you.
 
JimR-OCDS said:
However, you have to evaluate the value you’re placing on praying in tongues. Just because others are doing it, doesn’t mean it has any value in bringing you closer to God. In fact, if its spiritual pride, it could be keeping you from growing spiritually.

Jim
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Thanks Jim for your prudence.
 
MichiganConvert said:
Approximately 6 years ago, before coming into the Catholic faith, I prayed heavily for the gift of tongues. After a time, I felt that God had indeed blessed me with this gift, and I used to rely on it during my personal prayer time.

After coming into the Catholic faith in 2004, I stopped praying in tongues, mainly because I worried whether it really was a gift from God or just my own doing. Is speaking in tongues always a different, legitimate language, or can it be a form of speaking that only the Lord understands? I would dearly love to hear what others have experienced, or what more experienced Catholics might know regarding our faith. Thanks so much 🙂
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I renounced speaking in tongues years ago as a “work of the flesh”-a matter of pride-for myself. But I know that God continues to gift us in various ways and I’ve heard persuasive testimonies from Catholics about their own experience in this matter. In any case, I have a very difficult time now believing that the Holy Spirit would bless us in such a way without it being made thoroughly apparent that He was in it and behind it.
 
My personal view is that all people who say they speak in “gibberish” tongues are faking it.

However, as with any gift only the Church can discern if a person has a gift or not. People themselves have no authority or ability to discern this for themselves. Anyone who says they do not require the Church to discern because they themselves know they have this gift is guilty of pride in my opinion.
 
MichiganConvert said:
Thanks, Jim. I have to agree with you, that silent prayer is more powerful than anything. I shouldn’t look for something that perhaps wasn’t there for me to begin with. God has been working powerful things through my stepping up of traditional prayer, and I’ve been spending more time lately in silence with the Lord. (as our priest loves to say, “wasting time with the Lord.”) It is truly magnificent. Thanks much for the kind words. God bless you.
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I think this post of yours says it all. If speaking in tongues was, in fact, from the Lord, it doesn’t seem like the absence of it has impaired your spiritual growth or your prayer life. Rock on!
 
Thanks, Cari.

I’m very blessed to have the (name removed by moderator)ut of so many wonderful people. God has been gracing me with a growing prayer life since my total conversion in 2004, which does remind me that everything is from Him. I’m feeling that my previous “gift” was perhaps my own doing, and not from Him at all.

God bless all you guys! I’m thankful to have so many online friends in faith. I love being Catholic!
 
MichiganConvert said:
Approximately 6 years ago, before coming into the Catholic faith, I prayed heavily for the gift of tongues. After a time, I felt that God had indeed blessed me with this gift, and I used to rely on it during my personal prayer time.

After coming into the Catholic faith in 2004, I stopped praying in tongues, mainly because I worried whether it really was a gift from God or just my own doing. Is speaking in tongues always a different, legitimate language, or can it be a form of speaking that only the Lord understands? I would dearly love to hear what others have experienced, or what more experienced Catholics might know regarding our faith. Thanks so much 🙂
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i don’t know if anyone has already mentioned this, but Fr. DeGrandis has a few books out on this topic. he seems to think that if you are a sane person and can keep up praying in toungues for more than five minutes (without forcing it) in a reverant prayerful manner, then he says that it is legit. i don’t know how great this test is, i think that if you happen to know someone who can interperet, that would be a good test
 
Praying in tongues has been discussed in a book of father E. Tardif. He was once sick in a hospital as catholic-charismatic christians visited him and prayed for him. At that time he did not believe in healing prayers other then given through sacraments or intercession. However, he was then healed. See also 1000questions.net/en/chroniq/tardif-en.html

Shaken by this experience he began a journey and become one of the most known charismatic paters in the catholic community.

In his book " Il est Vivant " (He is Alive ") he is describing charisms and one of those which is singing in tongues in particular.

I have not seen his book in english, but it was translated in many languages. I read it in polish.

God bless!
 
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