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Protestant101
Guest
Are Catholics required to speak in tongues? Do they believe in speaking in tongues? If so; how does the Catholic Church define this act, and it’s meaning and practice? (just wondering). 
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Izdaari
Guest
Well, there is such a thing as the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, and I am given to understand that it has the Vatican’s blessing. I don’t know much more about it than can be found on Wikipedia. Since I’m Pentecostal, if I were to become Catholic I’d be very interested in that. But it seems that only a small minority of Catholics are a part of it… but perhaps some of them are here?
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Church_Militant
Guest
No.
Some do
My own position can be found at the following link. * Re: The Charismatic Movement and Glossolalia*
Essentially the same way I expressed, but the Church does not tell anyone that they have to be involved in it. The Church recognizes the diversity of spiritual gifts.If so; how does the Catholic Church define this act, and it’s meaning and practice? (just wondering).
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campeador
Guest
It is not a requirement for our salvation or worship.
It is in the Bible, so of course!
I hope this helps:
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rivera01
Guest
No it is not a requirement to speak in tounges to be Catholic. There is the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, which is devoted to the Holy Spirit, and the charisms are what is manifested in this movement. I wonder why the interest in this, I remember reading about 7th day adventists in not believing in the gift of tounges and the gift of healing.
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benidict
Guest
protestant 101 will correct me if i am wrong. but i think the adventist do recognize tongues. and the gift of healing. they are kind of like us on this though. that other things take priority. although in my former parish, and a couple others i know, once a month they would have a time when people would come to the Priest to have hands laid on them, and be annointed with oil for healing. Peace
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VetA
Guest
no, yes, i am not sure.Are Catholics required to speak in tongues? Do they believe in speaking in tongues? If so; how does the Catholic Church define this act, and it’s meaning and practice? (just wondering).
most of us (meaning the circle of catholic friends i have) would consider it odd and unnerving. to do it out in public i would think most catholics would say its like someone blowing a trumpet before them during prayer, like they were being crazy to make people think they were more holy than them. on the AAA forum Fr. Serpa answered a question about it i think. from what i remember of what he said was that we do believe in praying in tongues but it is defiantly not required
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grannymh
Guest
Brief clarification. There are two kinds of tongues. Speaking in tongues is an unique and rare gift.Are Catholics required to speak in tongues? Do they believe in speaking in tongues? If so; how does the Catholic Church define this act, and it’s meaning and practice? (just wondering).
Praying in tongues is a common gift. Praying in tongues means that a person allows the Holy Spirit to pray within him or her. By yielding to the Holy Spirit, the person allows the Holy Spirit to form the speech, i.e., to use one’s vocal mechanism to produce a different kind of language. We surrender to the wisdom of the Holy Spirit Who knows how we should pray.
Blessings,
granny
The human person is worthy of profound respect from the moment of conception.
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Faith1960
Guest
I went to another Life in the Spirit seminar this spring and some peple were speaking in tongues, including a friend of mine. Until that evening, I’d never heard her do it. The thing I don’t get is how she said she speaks in tongues but she couldn’t understand the sounds (words?) when someone else was doing the same thing.
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catsrus
Guest
Simple answer; because she was understandable to no one because she was speaking no language…
The Apostles were given the gift of speaking in languages other than the ones they knew. i.e. “tongues” so that they were able to go out to other cities and countrys and tell people about Jesus and his message.
What good would their preaching the gospel have been if no one could understand a word they were saying? How do you convey a message if no one can understand you?
Speaking in “tongues” simply meant speaking in languages other than the Aramaic.
Tongues = languages.
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grannymh
Guest
What you are describing is different than the Gifts of the Holy Spirit which St. Paul eventually described.
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit which are seen in today’s Catholic Charismatic Renewal are very different from what is described above.
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grannymh
Guest
It has been ages since I attended a Life in the Spirit seminar. Usually, what you hear is a person praying in tongues. The classical gift of speaking in tongues is normally part of a prayer group meeting or a special prayer session before a meeting or event.
When we pray, we put our total trust in God. Praying in tongues is also putting our total trust in God; however, we give the responsibility of our sounds or words to the Holy Spirit. We don’t need to understand the funny sounds which come out of our mouth because we are letting the Holy Spirit take over.
One very important thing about control which people should remember. Even though we yield to the workings of the Holy Spirit, we still have complete control as to when we start praying and when we stop praying. The Holy Spirit politely abides by our decision to pray or not to pray in tongues.
The reason your friend did not understand the sounds of someone else who was praying in tongues is that the Holy Spirit gives each person his or her own set of sounds. Often the sounds of one person are similar to another person’s. That is not important. What is important is that each person is lifting his or her soul to God in prayer.
One time I was in a prayer group meeting where everyone was praying in tongues except for one member who praised God in English. The combination of English and individual prayer tongues was beautiful because we all had the same intention of giving glory to God.
Blessings,
granny
Praise God!
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Faith1960
Guest
So what is she and the others doing? All I heard was a lot of yiddayiddayiddaguddaguddagudda type of sounds.
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Faith1960
Guest
Do the people speaking in tongues during a prayer group meeting understand one another?
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grannymh
Guest
Before I directly answer your question, I would like to explain a bit more about the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Please do not hesitate to ask questions because all this can be confusing.
The difference between praying in tongues and speaking in tongues is that the first (praying) benefits the individual in his or her prayer life, which by the way, includes praying for others.
The gift of speaking in tongues is part of the classical list found in 1 Corinthians 12: 8-10. These nine gifts are meant for the service of others. They are to build up the community of the Church. These gifts are considered ministries in that one prepares for them through living the Catholic Faith and by instruction. Ultimately, it is the Holy Spirit Who bestows this gift.
I realize that Catholic Charismatic prayer groups have different routines. However, there is usually a time when everyone is silent in prayer, This is a time of expectation that the Holy Spirit will speak through someone with the gift of speaking in tongues. Thus, this person is prompted to speak in tongues, i.e., an unknown language. This is considered a temporary manifestation of God’s power.
Because this message in an unknown language is meant for the entire community, someone else will have the companion gift of interpretation. St. Paul gives special instructions for using the gift of speaking in tongues and the gift of interpretation of tongues. These are not general gifts but rather special ministries given to Catholics mature in their faith…
The interpreter gives a general meaning of whatever was said. Sometimes the message is a form of prayer in praise of God which we should be imitating. Sometimes the message calls the community to some form of good actions. The message may affirm Catholic doctrine to instruct the community. In any case this is not considered the same as Divine Revelation. One is free to believe the interpretation or not.
Unfortunately, the gifts of speaking in tongues and interpretation can be abused. To prevent this, there are often people in the prayer group who will discern if the message is truly from God. If the message is interpreted that the pastor should have an olympic swimming pool in his backyard, a red flag goes up.
Finally, to answer your question: "Do the people speaking in tongues during a prayer group meeting understand one another?
Let us assume that the person speaking in tongues is truly gifted by the Holy Spirit. Silence usually follows as people pray for an interpretation. Then the person with the gift of interpretation gives the general meaning in the vernacular so that everyone can understand. Again, there may be a short period of silence as the entire group meditates on the message. Eventually, everyone gets to understand the original speaker in tongues.
Sometimes people will comment on the message.As you can see, the classical gifts of speaking in tongues and interpretation of tongues requires a sacred time. The is far different than the time when everyone is praying or singing in tongues as a community worshiping God.
It should be noted that not all prayer groups have people gifted with the classical gifts named by St. Paul. No matter. What is essential is that people come together to praise God. This is the time when the common gift of praying in tongues can be used as a community.
Before and after a prayer group meeting, people can pray in tongues on their own. Personally, I like to pray in tongues when I am in heavy traffic. I often wonder if other drivers assume I am singing with the radio.
Praying in tongues can be done within one’s heart. If I am talking with a kid in trouble, I am quietly praying in tongues so that I will be inspired as to how I can help.
I do a 2:00 AM hour of Eucharistic Adoration and there are times when I am so tired I can hardly make it through an Our Father. This is when praying in tongues really comes in handy. I yield to the Holy Spirit Who knows how I should be praying. There is something about praying in tongues that lifts my eyelids.
Blessings,
granny
Praise God!
Source of information:
A Key to Charismatic Renewal in the Catholic Church** ISBN: 0-87029-033-9**
by Msgr. Vincent M. Walsh
Key of David Publications
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Faith1960
Guest
Do you know what you’re saying when your’e praying in tongues?Before I directly answer your question, I would like to explain a bit more about the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Please do not hesitate to ask questions because all this can be confusing.
The difference between praying in tongues and speaking in tongues is that the first (praying) benefits the individual in his or her prayer life, which by the way, includes praying for others.
The gift of speaking in tongues is part of the classical list found in 1 Corinthians 12: 8-10. These nine gifts are meant for the service of others. They are to build up the community of the Church. These gifts are considered ministries in that one prepares for them through living the Catholic Faith and by instruction. Ultimately, it is the Holy Spirit Who bestows this gift.
I realize that Catholic Charismatic prayer groups have different routines. However, there is usually a time when everyone is silent in prayer, This is a time of expectation that the Holy Spirit will speak through someone with the gift of speaking in tongues. Thus, this person is prompted to speak in tongues, i.e., an unknown language. This is considered a temporary manifestation of God’s power.
Because this message in an unknown language is meant for the entire community, someone else will have the companion gift of interpretation. St. Paul gives special instructions for using the gift of speaking in tongues and the gift of interpretation of tongues. These are not general gifts but rather special ministries given to Catholics mature in their faith…
The interpreter gives a general meaning of whatever was said. Sometimes the message is a form of prayer in praise of God which we should be imitating. Sometimes the message calls the community to some form of good actions. The message may affirm Catholic doctrine to instruct the community. In any case this is not considered the same as Divine Revelation. One is free to believe the interpretation or not.
Unfortunately, the gifts of speaking in tongues and interpretation can be abused. To prevent this, there are often people in the prayer group who will discern if the message is truly from God. If the message is interpreted that the pastor should have an olympic swimming pool in his backyard, a red flag goes up.
Finally, to answer your question: "Do the people speaking in tongues during a prayer group meeting understand one another?
Let us assume that the person speaking in tongues is truly gifted by the Holy Spirit. Silence usually follows as people pray for an interpretation. Then the person with the gift of interpretation gives the general meaning in the vernacular so that everyone can understand. Again, there may be a short period of silence as the entire group meditates on the message. Eventually, everyone gets to understand the original speaker in tongues.
As you can see, the classical gifts of speaking in tongues and interpretation of tongues requires a sacred time. The is far different than the time when everyone is praying or singing in tongues as a community worshiping God.
It should be noted that not all prayer groups have people gifted with the classical gifts named by St. Paul. No matter. What is essential is that people come together to praise God. This is the time when the common gift of praying in tongues can be used as a community.
Before and after a prayer group meeting, people can pray in tongues on their own. Personally, I like to pray in tongues when I am in heavy traffic. I often wonder if other drivers assume I am singing with the radio.
Praying in tongues can be done within one’s heart. If I am talking with a kid in trouble, I am quietly praying in tongues so that I will be inspired as to how I can help.
I do a 2:00 AM hour of Eucharistic Adoration and there are times when I am so tired I can hardly make it through an Our Father. This is when praying in tongues really comes in handy. I yield to the Holy Spirit Who knows how I should be praying. There is something about praying in tongues that lifts my eyelids.
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grannymh
Guest
Difficult question. In my limited experience, I have not heard the particular question “Do you know what you’re saying when you’re praying in tongues?”Do you know what you’re saying when you’re praying in tongues?
My gut reaction to the question is that when one first receives the gift of praying in tongues, attention is placed on the mechanics of yielding to the Holy Spirit. Many people have to get over the feeling of silliness. Awkwardness is another feeling which can remain a very long time. Since love of God and total trust in Him is the motivation for letting go of our hesitancy, we try to ignore the funny sounds and words and concentrate on giving ourselves in prayer. Does this make sense to you?
With the gift of praying in tongues, we accept the idea that what we are uttering is a foreign language known only to the Holy Spirit. Therefore, one does not try to know it in the same way that we know the translation of what we are saying in Spanish for example. Are you with me?
The general answer to your question would be that normally one does not know the exact translation of what one is saying when praying in tongues. But, we need to remember that the Holy Spirit does not have to follow our general answer. When we make the Holy Spirit in charge, anything can happen.
Please let me know if this answer satisfies you or if you have other questions.
I am wondering if what you really want to know is how does praying in tongues feel in real time. Maybe you like to approach things analytically or rationally rather than emotionally.
When one first hears a group praying in tongues, it may appear that everyone is on the same page. Wrong. Praying in tongues does not change individual personalities. There is no one way that people respond to the Holy Spirit. There is no approved way that one receives gifts from the Holy Spirit.
If you wish, I can try to explain my personal experience with prayer tongues and share a bit of what I know about others. Questions about praying in tongues are as different as there are personalities.
One of my friends is fortunate in that she is able to have a set time for prayer and is very comfortable with her personal prayer routine. One time, when we were traveling together, she asked me if I would pray in tongues. All she wanted to know was how it sounded. When we were at a Church, I prayed in tongues as I would normally do. We were praying together, in our own style.
My point is that it is important that we reach out to God in private, personal prayer. The format used in private prayer often depends on our own personalities. It is at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass where we offer prayer as one body.
Blessings,
granny
John 3:16-17
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Faith1960
Guest
Yes, thanks for your replies.
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catsrus
Guest
And that’s all God hears too.
Call it what you will.
There is no point to yadda, yadda if you are not understood.
God knows what’s in our hearts so blathering a lot of noise does not bring us closer to Him.
And since God, Jesus and The Holy Spirit are ONE, They/He would all be aware of the prayer of our heart.
As I said, the “gift of tongues” is the gift of speaking other languages that that are not part of our individual lexicon.
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grannymh
Guest
Ever since the Apostolic Age, people have had different opinions about the many, many Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Of course, Catsrus you are welcomed to your opinions regarding the many kinds of Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Equally so – people involved with the Catholic Charismatic Renewal are welcomed to their opinions regarding the different Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Blessings,
granny
Praise God!
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