speaking in tongues?

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angell1

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sorry if this is in the wrong place, guys

can anyone tell me what speaking in tongues is really supposed to be?

I attended this catholic charismatic thing once, which was supposed to be a holy spirit night, the guy running it said he could speak in tongues and then he started doing it but it just sounded like gibberish and like he was just making up sounds.

is it something controlled? or does it just happen on its own? I always thought I meant more like speaking in a language you don’t know where others could understand you. but this experience I had just seemed weird.

unless I misunderstood the whole concept
 
Speaking in tongues is based on the record of the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” Acts 2:1-5

It was a gift to allow the Apostles to communicate with those who could not understand them so that they could preach the Gospel.

I’d be a little skeptical of someone today who claims to be able to speak in tongues in this sense. He could well have just learned the language in question.
 
There are two different kinds of speaking in tongues which are gifts of the Holy Spirit, kinda three. The most rare is like what happened to the Apostles at the first receiving of the Holy Spirit: everyone understood them despite language barriers, because they all heard it in their own language. The other one/two is when someone is moved by the Holy Spirit to speak in a spiritual tongue out loud or in prayer. If one is speaking out loud in an assembly, Saint Paul says that someone should immediately translate it or the person who spoke in tongues should be silent. If one is praying, sometimes the Holy Spirit can give the gift of praying in a spirit tongue and we might never know what we said; God knows our hearts, souls and lives better than we do and can guide our prayers. In the case of spiritual tongues, I have heard enough fairly credible anecdotal stories of times when the person ended up praying in an earthly language which they did not understand, but which someone in the room with them did understand.

Most cases you see of praying/speaking in tongues is fakery. Whether or not the person doing it is aware that they are faking it, often it is done either to appear special, or to state what one thinks God would say based on what one thinks; the tongues then convinces a lot of people that it was genuinely a message from God. I was Pentecostal for a couple of years. I never did feel anything holy when people would bark like dogs, interrupt sermons with inappropriate laughter and all that jazz.

I haven’t experienced a Catholic charismatic service yet. I’d love to find one, just to see what it is like. However, recently at a meeting at the church we prayed over a sick member of our group, and for the first time in years the spirit took over and I began to pray in a tongue. I wasn’t sure how the members of the group would react, and I confess that I struggled to keep my voice as low as possible so that no one else would hear me. It was at a Secular Franciscan meeting, and I am too new to the church to join that group yet. We were all praying together in soft voices, and it was an awesome moment full of spirit. It was for a member with a surgical wound which won’t seem to heal.
 
angell1 said:
sorry if this is in the wrong place, guys

can anyone tell me what speaking in tongues is really supposed to be?

I attended this catholic charismatic thing once, which was supposed to be a holy spirit night, the guy running it said he could speak in tongues and then he started doing it but it just sounded like gibberish and like he was just making up sounds.

is it something controlled? or does it just happen on its own? I always thought I meant more like speaking in a language you don’t know where others could understand you. but this experience I had just seemed weird.

unless I misunderstood the whole concept
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In the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, there are two gifts of the Holy Spirit which employ the use of Tongues. One is praying to God in Tongues. The second is bringing God’s message to the assembled group in Tongues. This gift is a ministry.
When Tongues are used to bring God’s words to the group, there is another person who has the Holy Spirit gift of Interpretation. Tongues is always under the control of the person who can start and stop at will.

Tongues is described as yielding one’s speech mechanism to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit then uses one’s speech mechanism to form various sounds according to the gift of prayer or the gift of proclaiming God’s message.

Acts 2: 5-12 is known as the Miracle of Hearing.
 
Speaking in tongues is a charismatic gift. It is prayer from the heart or desire, it can be used instead of prayer from the mind, or head, intellectual raising of the mind in one’s own language. St. Paul said that he could pray both ways. Sometimes we find it difficult to express our true yearnings in words. The flow of consonants and vowels, sometimes called “Glosolallia” or “Tongues” is a form of prayer. In Charismatic circles it is used as a form of praise, and also as a form of prophesy, but one has to have the gift of interpretation which is not necessarily the literal interpretation of the sounds, but an inspiration from the Holy Spirit as to it’s meaning. Sometimes there are confirmations given from the reading of Holy Scripture. As already stated it is derived from Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles and began to praise God in tongues. It was confirmed for me, that it is approved by God to use this form of prayer when desired. The Holy Spirit expresses our unspoken desires in this form of prayer.
 
Tongues is yielding one’s speech mechanism to the Holy Spirit Who forms various sounds in two separate gifts. 1. as a prayer to God. 2. as a message from God.
Tongues is always under a person’s control.

Acts 2: 5-11 is known as a miracle of hearing.
 
grannymh said:
Tongues is yielding one’s speech mechanism to the Holy Spirit Who forms various sounds in two separate gifts. 1. as a prayer to God. 2. as a message from God.
Tongues is always under a person’s control.

Acts 2: 5-11 is known as a miracle of hearing.
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👍

I married a pentecostal who is now Catholic, the Lord taught me the above. I used to pray in tongues until it was best to suppress it, especially in the presence of those who do not believe. THAT was easier than suppressing crossing myself, which I do automatically :rolleyes:
 
I have been to a few Pentecostal/Charismatic meetings, but in the home of a very Devote Catholic. Because of my sheduling at that time I was not able to continue. The leader of the group was upset because his wife received the gifts and he didn’t. He expressed that he was the head of the household and HE should have been the one to receive the gifts. His wife was a quite, unassuming, mother of his children, is the one that the Spirit came to. To this day I liken her to The Blessed Mother for her humility.

Later, the husband did receive the gift of tognues, but something was “lost in the translation.” I didn’t understand a word and the “translater” seemed to be making it up, but with difficulty.

I think it is a gift that one should not desire or seek, but accept when the real gift is freely given as in the case of the man’s wife. It is just my opinion that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are intended for that good of all and not just for one “lucky” esp. in a group setting where one is favored and the rest are not. I do believe in the Gift of Tongues because it is Biblical. I think that, I myself, might have slightly wished for the Gift, but not for long as I wasn’t “moved” by what I saw and heard. Be carefull what you wish for and pray for. 'nuff said.
 
Casilda said:
👍

I married a pentecostal who is now Catholic, the Lord taught me the above. I used to pray in tongues until it was best to suppress it, especially in the presence of those who do not believe. THAT was easier than suppressing crossing myself, which I do automatically :rolleyes:
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That’s fine that you can, but that wasn’t my experience of it. When I was Pentecostal I used to pray in tongues, and sometimes it would be something which I initiated by allowing the Holy Spirit to take over my words. However, the very first time I did it wasn’t something I chose, it just happened. It was the same with some other times. This most recent time pretty much caught me by surprise, because I was praying in English when suddenly the Holy Spirit took over. I hadn’t prayed in tongues in years, and I certainly didn’t expect it to happen. I don’t think anyone overheard me, but if they did no one said anything about it. The only control I had was my volume, though I probably could have supressed it if I took myself away from the group who were praying. I decided not to fight it though, and figured the Holy Spirit knows better than I do what was needed.
 
newcalling said:
That’s fine that you can, but that wasn’t my experience of it. When I was Pentecostal I used to pray in tongues, and sometimes it would be something which I initiated by allowing the Holy Spirit to take over my words. However, the very first time I did it wasn’t something I chose, it just happened. It was the same with some other times. This most recent time pretty much caught me by surprise, because I was praying in English when suddenly the Holy Spirit took over. I hadn’t prayed in tongues in years, and I certainly didn’t expect it to happen. I don’t think anyone overheard me, but if they did no one said anything about it. The only control I had was my volume, though I probably could have supressed it if I took myself away from the group who were praying. I decided not to fight it though, and figured the Holy Spirit knows better than I do what was needed.
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did you understand what you were saying when speaking the language of the spirit?
 
If somebody is speaking a foreign language, one that you personally do not understand will it not sound like gibberish to you?
At the very first Pentecost, when the crowd heard the Apostles preaching about the risen Lord in their various languages, they marveled that they could understand them. The people in the crowd had come from all parts of the world. How could Nazarenes know their differing languages? Not everybody was impressed. Peter had to assure them that they were not drunk.
Speaking in tongues is indeed a gift of the Holy Spirit, one that St. Paul called the least of the gifts. It can be used as a prayer language when a person does not know how to prayer. Yielding to the Holy Spirit, it is the Holy Spirit dwelling within each of us, who prays through us without interference from any outside source. What is in a person’s inner most being can be expressed. When a person is “praying in the Spirit” or if you observe a group of Charismatics praying in this way, there is generally no interpretation.
St. Paul does talk about the use of Speaking of tongues in the assembly with interpretation.The gift of interpretation, or being able to translate what has been said, is also a charism, or extraordinary gift of the Holy Spirit. During a Charismatic meeting, you may observe one individual speaking in tongues, either praying or a Word of prophecy. Another person will translate what has been said. At this point it is important to define prophecy, not as a prediction of the future. Prophecy is rather acting as God’s spokesperson. In a Charismatic meeting it is most often a word of encouragement, and at times admonishment.
 
ynotzap said:
Speaking in tongues is a charismatic gift. It is prayer from the heart or desire, it can be used instead of prayer from the mind, or head, intellectual raising of the mind in one’s own language. St. Paul said that he could pray both ways. Sometimes we find it difficult to express our true yearnings in words. The flow of consonants and vowels, sometimes called “Glosolallia” or “Tongues” is a form of prayer. In Charismatic circles it is used as a form of praise, and also as a form of prophesy, but one has to have the gift of interpretation which is not necessarily the literal interpretation of the sounds, but an inspiration from the Holy Spirit as to it’s meaning. Sometimes there are confirmations given from the reading of Holy Scripture. As already stated it is derived from Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles and began to praise God in tongues. It was confirmed for me, that it is approved by God to use this form of prayer when desired. The Holy Spirit expresses our unspoken desires in this form of prayer.
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this is different from when the apostles that spoke in languages that others already knew right? the consonants and syllables that need interpreting?

thanks for the clarification, I didn’t know both kinds existed, no wonder I was confused
 
DebChris said:
If somebody is speaking a foreign language, one that you personally do not understand will it not sound like gibberish to you?
At the very first Pentecost, when the crowd heard the Apostles preaching about the risen Lord in their various languages, they marveled that they could understand them. The people in the crowd had come from all parts of the world. How could Nazarenes know their differing languages? Not everybody was impressed. Peter had to assure them that they were not drunk.
Speaking in tongues is indeed a gift of the Holy Spirit, one that St. Paul called the least of the gifts. It can be used as a prayer language when a person does not know how to prayer. Yielding to the Holy Spirit, it is the Holy Spirit dwelling within each of us, who prays through us without interference from any outside source. What is in a person’s inner most being can be expressed. When a person is “praying in the Spirit” or if you observe a group of Charismatics praying in this way, there is generally no interpretation.
St. Paul does talk about the use of Speaking of tongues in the assembly with interpretation.The gift of interpretation, or being able to translate what has been said, is also a charism, or extraordinary gift of the Holy Spirit. During a Charismatic meeting, you may observe one individual speaking in tongues, either praying or a Word of prophecy. Another person will translate what has been said. At this point it is important to define prophecy, not as a prediction of the future. Prophecy is rather acting as God’s spokesperson. In a Charismatic meeting it is most often a word of encouragement, and at times admonishment.
Click to expand...
I thought that’s what it meant, speaking a foreign language that already exists so that others can understand you but without you knowing that language before

I guess I personally do not have this gift. I really did try
 
angell1 said:
did you understand what you were saying when speaking the language of the spirit?
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No, I didn’t. One word which came up a few times was “Ama” which I almost think I understood, maybe as calling upon Mother Mary? I don’t remember anything else I said, and I didn’t understand it, but I suppose that when praying in tongues it’s most important that God understands.
 
angell1 said:
did you understand what you were saying when speaking the language of the spirit?
Click to expand...
When I pray in tongues, I often sing and no, I do not understand what I am saying. I have used this form of prayer when unsure of God’s Will, when deciding between two different courses of action. I use it simply to give praise to God. It is under my control in that if I am praising God in tongues as I walk, and see somebody approach, I can stop my prayer. This is no different than if I were praying the rosary or any other type of prayer.
If I do not understand the language, how then do I know that I am praising God? My prayer begins in English with praise and gratitude. “Praise you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus.” repeated until my prayer language takes over. I am full of joy.
I do not have the gift of interpretation. When I have lifted up my voice during a prayer group, there have been times that another person has interpreted what I have said.
My natural voice, when I am not praying in tongues, has not changed.
Another time when I may use my prayer language is when I am praying for somebody, or over somebody for healing. I yield to the Holy Spirit in the course of praying for the person. Being open to the Holy Spirit, also opens me to other gifts. Perhaps I may receive a word of encouragement to give to the person for whom I am praying.
 
My one and only experience with hearing people speak in tongues was quite by accident.A friend and I attended a “healing service” at a parish in town.As it happens,it was actually a weekend event for those in the Charismatic movement of the Church.This particular service was the kickoff event so to speak.The Blessed Sacrament was exposed in a monstrance on a table.The priest present was a healing priest.He showed video clips of various healing services,intermittently,there were songs of praise and worship,then speaking in tongues.My friend and I just looked around,at a loss as what to do,I just praised God silently,however,I did freak out a bit by what sounded like gibberish to me. We left after a time,really kind of unnerved by the whole experience.I do,appreciate that the Charismatic Movement is approved and embraced by some within the Catholic faith community.It just isn’t for me,I guess.
 
angell1 said:
this is different from when the apostles that spoke in languages that others already knew right? the consonants and syllables that need interpreting?

thanks for the clarification, I didn’t know both kinds existed, no wonder I was confused
Click to expand...
You are right, when the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles they spoke in different foreign languages, and were understood by the listeners. There is a passage in scripture that speaks about Cornelius, when he was visited by St.Peter. When Peter told them the Good New of Jesus Christ, Cornelius and his followers spoke in tongues praising God, and then they were baptized after Peter witnessed the effects of the Holy Spirit
 
Jeanne_S said:
My one and only experience with hearing people speak in tongues was quite by accident.A friend and I attended a “healing service” at a parish in town.As it happens,it was actually a weekend event for those in the Charismatic movement of the Church.This particular service was the kickoff event so to speak.The Blessed Sacrament was exposed in a monstrance on a table.The priest present was a healing priest.He showed video clips of various healing services,intermittently,there were songs of praise and worship,then speaking in tongues.My friend and I just looked around,at a loss as what to do,I just praised God silently,however,I did freak out a bit by what sounded like gibberish to me. We left after a time,really kind of unnerved by the whole experience.I do,appreciate that the Charismatic Movement is approved and embraced by some within the Catholic faith community.It just isn’t for me,I guess.
Click to expand...
A first exposure for many is often a healing Mass. At a local parish, brochures explaining the Charismatic renewal are placed at the front for people who want to learn more.
The Renewal does have Papal approval beginning with Pope Paul VI.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with simply observing and praying silently when you are unsure about exactly what is happening. Once while I was at one of these healing Mass, during the laying of hands which takes place after Mass, what I did was approach people individually to help explain what was happening.
It does appear that the priest was trying to show how God works with and through His people by showing the video clips of various healing services. As you read stories of the Saints, you will see that God has chosen individuals throughout history to do His Will. The extraordinary gifts that He grants are given for the upbuilding of His kingdom. Speaking in tongues is less important than what happens inside a person and how he or she changes, and is transformed by God.
Pope Benedict XVI called each of us to be open to the gifts of the Holy Spirit while simultaneously warning Charismatics against spiritual pride. More important than the outward expression of any charism is the inward disposition of the heart. How willing are we to give up control of our lives and allow God to be sovereign Lord?
 
Casilda said:
👍

I married a pentecostal who is now Catholic, the Lord taught me the above. I used to pray in tongues until it was best to suppress it, especially in the presence of those who do not believe. THAT was easier than suppressing crossing myself, which I do automatically :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
One can pray in Tongues in silence. Vocal sounds can be set aside as you allow your tongue and lips to be moved. Sometimes, I keep my lips in a gentle smile as I pray silently for someone. Sometimes, my prayer is the fastest on record. What matters is that one is praying to God for whatever.

Official website, Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the U.S., National Service Committee

nsc-chariscenter.org/about-ccr/
 
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