Charismatic Renewal - the Catholic experience of renewal

by Jan Crowe

For the first 800 years of the Roman Catholic Church, all baptized and confirmed members were filled with and used the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the Spirit’s manifestations such as: wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment of spirits and tongues. However, God being the gracious God that he is, never forces himself on us. That is why in church history there have been eras when the gifts of the Holy Spirit were more evident than at other times.

The Catholic Charismatic Renewal started from a retreat held in February 1967 of several faculty members and students from Duquesne University. Many of the students - though not all - experienced a movement of God’s Spirit after prayerful reading of the Acts of the Apostles and other material. Today, the Catholic Charismatic Renewal exists in over 238 countries in the world, having touched over 100 million Catholics in its nearly 40-year existence.

The Catholic Charismatic movement is not simply a renewal of the charisms found in the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians [Chapter 12]. It centers on the renewal of individual commitment to the person of Jesus Christ.

This commitment has been the center of every authentic renewal in the history of the Church. The commitment begins by the reanointing with the presence of the Holy Spirit; what is sometimes called “The Baptism in the Holy Spirit.” This occurs when individuals ask Jesus Christ, who is the one who gives the Holy Spirit, to stir up the gift of the Holy Spirit within their hearts. St. Paul admonished Timothy: “I remind you to stir into flame the Gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands.” [2 Tim 1:6]

This is primarily a renewal of the gifts received in the sacraments of baptism and confirmation without negating the power and grace received in these sacraments. The results are many. Along with the reception of the charisms, people who have experienced this renewal in the Holy Spirit talk of a new and deeper personal knowledge of Jesus. They find new power in prayer, a new love of scripture, and a new and deeper appreciation of the church, of the liturgy, and of the sacraments.

Encouraged by the leadership of Pope Paul VI and John Paul II, the Catholic bishops of the United States, Canada, and many bishops in South America and Europe, have written pastoral statements supporting and encouraging the

renewal.

Jan Crowe is from Dassel, MN and is the New Ulm Diocesan liaison for Charismatic Renewal.

An opportunity to get involved!

On February 12, there will be a Charismatic Renewal Day to be held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s parish, New Ulm.

Presenter Fr. Tom Forrest, a profound Charismatic Renewal speaker, will share the riches of the person of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and encourage his audience to use all the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

The day will also include Mass, music, Adoration, Confession, and lunch.

To register, contact Justin Frato, Church of St. Mary, 417 South Minnesota Street, New Ulm, MN 56073; (507) 233-9500. Cost for the day is $10.