WHAT IS THE CATHOLIC CHARISMATIC RENEWAL ; Its history and the future

Introduction

Blessed John Paul II

The Catholic Charismatic Renewal is a movement within the Catholic Church(RC). Worship is characterized by vibrant Masses, as well as prayer meetings featuring prophecy, faith healing and "praying in tongues." This movement is based on the belief that certain charismata (a Greek word for gifts), bestowed by the Holy Spirit, such as the abilities to pray in tongues and to heal (which Christians generally believe existed in the early Church as described in the Bible) should still be practiced today.

Today, the Catholic Charismatic Renewal enjoys the strong support of the hierarchy, from the Pope to bishops of dioceses around the world, as an officially recognized ecclesial movement. Three popes have acknowledged the movement: Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II and Benedict XVI. Pope John Paul II stated that the movement was integral to the renewal of the entire Catholic Church. Pope John Paul II (as well as then Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI) acknowledged good aspects of the movement while urging caution, pointing out members must maintain their link to the Catholic Church.

Pope John Paul II, in particular, made a number of statements on the movement.

His Eminence the Cardinal Polycarp Pengo

In Tanzania, His Eminence the Cardinal Polycarp Pengo has blessed the movement and allowed into his apostolic territory.

The members dine in one of the retreats organized by fellowship

In St. Joseph University the Charismatic Renewal started in October of 2007 following the establishment of the Catholic Community at the college and by then there were only 46 members. The Catholic Charismatic Renewal at the university aims at preaching the gospel to the students [and staff] both biblical and also by living the gospel "Preaching and Living the gospel". This would make the students who are expected to take the political and non political posts in the country in future to be God fearing people and through that we can serve and save the church and our nation . Currently the group has multiplied in number into 70+ members and they meet on Tuesdays at 4pm at the campus and Sundays after mass at Agape centre.

The fellowship session 

At this moment in the Church's history, the Charismatic Renewal can play a significant role in promoting the much-needed defense of Christian life in societies where secularism and materialism have weakened many people's ability to respond to the Spirit and to discern God's loving call. Your contribution to the re-evangelization of society will be made in the first place by personal witness to the indwelling Spirit and by showing forth His presence through works of holiness and solidarity.

As of 2003, the Catholic Charismatic Renewal exists in over 230 countries in the world, with over 119 million members. in the Renewal participants also cooperate with non-Catholic Christians and other Catholics in providing a common witness for evangelization, as encouraged by the Catholic Church.

A dove, symbolizing the Holy Spirit, who is believed by Christians to confer various gifts.

Fellowship members pose for a photo after the Sunday session

Catholic Charismatic communities conduct

·        Healing services

·        Gospel power services

·        Outreaches

·        Evangelizations

where the presence of the Holy Spirit is felt, and healings and miracles take place. The mission of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal is to educate believers into the totality of the declaration of the gospels. This is done by a personal relationship with Jesus Christ; a one-to-one relationship with Jesus is seen as a possibility by the Charismatic. He is encouraged to talk to Jesus directly and search for what The Lord is saying so that his life will be one with Him.

The nine charismatic gifts considered extraordinary in character include (1 Corinthians 12:8-10);

·        Faith

·        Expression of knowledge and wisdom

·        Miracles

·        The gift of tongues and their interpretation

·        Prophecy

·        Discernment of spirits and healing

(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2003). These gifts are related to the traditional seven gifts of the Holy Spirit described in Isaiah 11:1-2;

·        Wisdom

·        Understanding

·        Counsel

·        Fortitude

·        Knowledge

·        Piety

·        Fear of the Lord

(as listed in Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1831). The nine charismatic gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 are also related to the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. Other references to charisms in the Catechism of the Catholic Church include Sections 688, 768, 799-801, 890, 951, 1508 (charism of healing) and 2035.

Charismatic is rather a group but a movement in the Catholic Church importantly remind the christians about their baptism, confirmation and the faith they have claimed  in catholic church.

Before infatuation of a new catholic charismatic prayer group.

·        There should be a one - week of evangelization within there is healing deliverance and out – pouring of the Holy Spirit Preceded by deep penitential rite. This is popularly known as “WIKI YA NEEMA”

·        The after 10 – weeks of Spiritual teaching – commonly known as “Semina ya maisha ya Kristo”

When these are accomplished successful a prayer group can be formed under the guidance of the Parish Priest. Henceforth, they will have to meet once a week for praise and worship singing, teaching of the Bible and other services.