Origin of Catholic Charismatics

[Ahimsa]

The year was 1967, and the Church was in crisis. Priests and nuns were abandoning their vocations in droves. Doctrines, not just disciplines, seemed up for grabs. Schism loomed.

It was during that year, when chaos seemed to reign in the Church, that God poured out his Spirit on a small group of Duquesne University students during their annual retreat. That outpouring of the Spirit marked the beginning of the Catholic charismatic renewal in America. It also marked a turning point in the life of the contemporary Church. For the past 40 years, the fruits of that weekend and all that followed have been an important means by which Christ has brought healing to his children and renewal to his Church.

 

[ChristianVet]

Didn’t John Paul II once say, “the Catholic charasmatic renewal will disappear after the Church becomes charasmatically renewed.”

He was such a wise man.

 

[Ahimsa]

Didn’t John Paul II once say, “the Catholic charasmatic renewal will disappear after the Church becomes charasmatically renewed.”

He was such a wise man.

Is the Church charismatically renewed yet?

 

[ChristianVet]

I would say not yet. In fact, this may take a very long time.

To be charasmatically renewed, at least in my mind, means that the not only the gifts of the Holy Spirit need to be readily evident, but the fruits of the Holy Spirit also.

Don’t think we’re quite there yet.

 

[Spirithound]

Didn’t John Paul II once say, “the Catholic charasmatic renewal will disappear after the Church becomes charasmatically renewed.”

But that would mean that the condition required for the disappearance of the movement is for the movement to expand to the entire Church…

 

[The_Truthinator]

The Charismatic Movement gave me some reservations about the Church when I first thought about it. I mean, I certainly believe in charisms and grace-gifts, etc., and their continuation, but it worries me to think about all those who are just putting on a show. We can certainly trust the authenticity of the Spirit’s work, but I maintain we need discernment in this area. I wish that all parishes would emphasize the gifts more, without having to become borderline Protestant–if you get what I mean.

 

[frnate]

The Charismatic Movement gave me some reservations about the Church when I first thought about it. I mean, I certainly believe in charisms and grace-gifts, etc., and their continuation, but it worries me to think about all those who are just putting on a show. We can certainly trust the authenticity of the Spirit’s work, but I maintain we need discernment in this area. I wish that all parishes would emphasize the gifts more, without having to become borderline Protestant–if you get what I mean.

That is exactly the attitude we try to foster in my communion. Discernment is the key. Being more open to the working of the Holy Spirit does NOT mean being open to just any old thing, ESPECIALLY disruption of the service. All things must be done decently and in order, right?

Peace,
+N

 

[Philthy]

The Charismatic Movement gave me some reservations about the Church when I first thought about it.

Really? Based on a particular experience you had or simply out of fear of the unknown?
Truthinator:

I mean, I certainly believe in charisms and grace-gifts, etc., and their continuation, but it worries me to think about all those who are just putting on a show.

So you would be willing to eliminate all the genuine charismatic manifestations of the Spirit in order to avoid the possibility of someone “putting on a show”? That doesnt make much sense to me. And how, exactly, is that different from the droves of people who receive the Eucharist in a state of mortal sin? Are you worried about that also or are you selectively worried about the Charismatic renewal? Certainly someone “pretending” to have a gift of the Spirit does not compare to receiving Jesus in a state of mortal sin. My sense is that we havent really gotten to the bottom of your concerns.
Truthinator:

We can certainly trust the authenticity of the Spirit’s work, but I maintain we need discernment in this area.

Discernment from whom exactly?
Truthinator:

I wish that all parishes would emphasize the gifts more, without having to become borderline Protestant–if you get what I mean.

I think you have an unsubstantiated bias toward the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, which is perfectly understandable. But is it based on experience or pure fear?

 

[The_Truthinator]

Really? Based on a particular experience you had or simply out of fear of the unknown?

It probably has something to do with my already skeptical nature combined with my Baptist upbringing, honestly. I do, however, attend a Protestant non-denom/charismatic church Sundays with one of my friends, so talk about grace-gifts isn’t new to me.

So you would be willing to eliminate all the genuine charismatic manifestations of the Spirit in order to avoid the possibility of someone “putting on a show”? That doesnt make much sense to me. And how, exactly, is that different from the droves of people who receive the Eucharist in a state of mortal sin? Are you worried about that also or are you selectively worried about the Charismatic renewal? Certainly someone “pretending” to have a gift of the Spirit does not compare to receiving Jesus in a state of mortal sin. My sense is that we havent really gotten to the bottom of your concerns.

Not necessarily. I suppose I almost felt like perhaps the Church was conforming a bit to Protestantism in doing this, and that it did draw unnecessary divisions within the undivided Mother Church. I see now that style and emphasis in worship in no way detracts from the doctrinal unity of the Catholic Church, though. What’s more, I had my own presuppositions about charisms, to begin with: That they were manifestations still in existence, as the Spirit is the same yesterday, today, and for ever, but that they appeared in regards to their relevance to a church’s/individual’s situation, and therefore were bound to be rarer in the United States and other such countries, because God has made his Will known to us, via his Word (and the Church).

Discernment from whom exactly?

The Spirit—such discernment Paul describes as a gift in and of itself in 1 Corinthians 12.

I think you have an unsubstantiated bias toward the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, which is perfectly understandable. But is it based on experience or pure fear?

Most likely, as I’ve said, it comes from presuppositions concerning grace-gifts and charisms, and from an already skeptical nature … as well as my seventh period teacher, a former Pentecostal, showing me what they call “tongues,” (it was a very impressive display which I would have believed had I actually seen it outside of this context) revealing it to be nothing more than “ecstatic utterances.” If it can be performed so convincingly, how are we to know what’s real—and what’s not? It worries me, though I know my fears should find solace in the decrees of the Church.

 

[Ani_Ibi]

The_Truthinator:

What’s more, I had my own presuppositions about charisms, to begin with: That they were manifestations still in existence, as the Spirit is the same yesterday, today, and for ever, but that they appeared in regards to their relevance to a church’s/individual’s situation, and therefore were bound to be rarer in the United States and other such countries, because God has made his Will known to us, via his Word (and the Church).

The Catholic Charismatic Revival began in Duquesne University which is in the United States.