Last weekend I was in Philadelphia to speak at a Catholic Charismatic Renewal Conference, and had a great time. This may surprise some readers, as I think some perceive me as a traditionalist Catholic.
It is true that when it comes to worship styles (especially at Mass) I am more traddy than trendy. However, when it comes to spirituality, pastoral work and theological views, I am interested and open to groups in the church who may not be on the same page as me liturgically.
I like singing praise and worship music if the band is good and the singing is upbeat. (Especially in a non liturgical setting) I’d rather be with a group of people who are singing their guts out and jumping for Jesus than to be with crossed arms Catholics. You know the ones I mean who stand there at Mass, mouths closed, arms crossed with an expression on their face that says, “I’m here ’cause I have to be here, but you just try to get me interested.”
What I like about Catholic Charismatics is that they are enthusiastic. If they’re not traddy in their liturgical style, they are orthodox in their theology. The best are totally loyal to their bishop and the Holy Father. I have criticisms of some aspects of the movement, and realize sometimes there has been division and there is a wacky extreme, but that can be said of most of the new movements in the church.
The most important thing for me to realize is this: the charismatic movement reminds me that we don’t all have to join the charismatic movement, but we all need to be charismatic. What I mean by this is that we need what is good from the charismatic movement, even if we don’t join it, and those who are members help us to see that. It reminds me that a man is most often right in what he affirms and wrong in what he denies.
It is the same with all the movements. I’m glad the FSSP are out there with their allegiance to the traditional Mass. They’ve got their wacky fringe element too, but they’re good people and while I don’t want to join them, I support them. I’m grateful for them because they remind me of the need to value the tradition and renew the liturgy.
You could apply this not only to the new movements, but to religious orders too. I don’t want to be a Franciscan, for example, but I’m glad the Fransciscans are there to remind me of the need to be joyful in poverty, free to love in chastity and learning the Lord’s will through obedience.
So, while I’m not a card-carrying Charismatic, I’m glad there are plenty who are. They widen the range of Catholicism. They’re hard working, organized, enthusiastic and they love the Lord. More power to them.
It’s only since joining blogland that I realized how fussy we Catholics are about all these liturgy type things(of which I know nothing really). I know Jesus is real and that He loves us though,so like you Father, if someone is alive to Him through a particular expression,great! Not too keen on women with scarves dancing on altars,but that’s my own peculiarity.It upsets me if folks argue too much about different forms of worship, as the Power that breaks sin in one’s life (Jesus)gets forgotten.In these areas we are guilty as charged perhaps,of using tradition to water down or kill the Word.Just this sinner’s personal view of course.
Father, you have this habit of blogging about things that I am thinking about at the same time. Please stop, it’s spooky ;)Seriously, it’s a lesson that many people should learn to their benefit. God knows I should.
Are they still doing that slain in the spirit thing that they copied of the protestants?
May I suggest that you read the Malines Documents by Leon-Joseph Cardinal Suenens? It's a series of documents about the Charismatic Movement, including some very enlightening commentary by Cardinal Ratzinger. It might give you a little more insight into the Charismatic Movement than you have, as jumping up and down at a Praise & Worship service is not what the Charismatic Movement is all about.
Hi Gina, I understand that the Charismatic movement is about more than happy clappy worship. and am familiar with the documents you mention. That’s one of the reasons I’m happy to support it.
The diversity and variety of devotional practice is what brought me into Holy Mother Church. I consider myself a Charismatic Byzantine Anglo-Catholic. I am so thankful for the hierarchs who had the wisdom to evaluate what they didn’t understand before they dismissed it. The traditional and the Charismatic are not exclusive, but can work together nicely.
Great Post Father! I have always considered myself to be a Charismatic Traditionlist. It is important to embrace the Holy Spirit and be attentive to His movements. I serve for the Extraordinary Form of the Mass and Norvos Ordo at my church and lead a young adult group which meets at a Syriac Catholic Church. I have sought to educate the young adult group on the different parts of Christ Body and the many spiritualities that we have. It is sad, but I have found being around many Traditionalist that most of them are very antagonistic or mean towards Charismatic Catholics, where as in the Charismatic circles most are welcoming of the Traditionalist movement, even though they might differ on worship style. I pray that more people such as yourself will be able to appreciate the gifts of the Spirit in many forms and learn to seek a balanced approach to proper worship and fellowship. My young adult blog is http://emmauscya.blogspot.com if you wish to check it out. God Bless. In Christ, Sean
The main problem I have with many of today’s “movements”–particularly in comparing them to the Orders–are that they tend to be based upon “one thing,” and sticking to that “one thing.”i.e., a preference for the traditional Mass is fine. Criticism of innovations at the ordinary form is fine. Criticism of the ordinary form as such as not.Charismatics tend to be–for the most part–very antagonistic towards spirituality that embraces suffering. There is, for example, a huge gap between Carmelite and charismatic spirituality. 9 times out of 10, what I encounter from Charismatics is the attitude that “You’re only sick because you don’t have enough faith.” Saying that I embrace my disability as God’s gift to me garners the response of “Obviously you’re just covering up the fact that you don’t believe in miracles. . . . “I am what many would consider “small c” charismatic: in most practical ways, I express beliefs and focuses that most would consider “charismatic.” You’ll never hear a more exuberant “et cum spiritu tuo” than mine, but I still have serious reservations about the Charismatic Movement, in terms of both its principles (would love to get my hands on the docs Gina mentions) and its rank and file membership.All of us, as Catholics, should be open minded about growth in the faith and about changing our views if they do not seem to be in accordance with the Magisterium. Most “movement Catholics” resist on both counts.
Hi Father,I read your book Praying the Rosary for Inner Healing. I think you are charasmatic! Aren’t we all? We are all baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit. Maybe we just have not opened all our baptismal gifts yet. That’s how Fr. De Grandis puts it. I’m glad you see the value in being open to this expression of worship. I’m curious about the statement that Charasmatics and Carmelites seem opposed. I am charasmatic yet I am very drawn to the Carmelite spirituality. It is all about union with God, and that’s what I want. I love being open to all the wonders our faith has to offer. We are soooo blessed to be Catholic. What a great Mother the church is.
One of the reasons I became Catholic is that I don’t need to “belong” to any particular “movement”. I can be who I am, and develop into what Christ wants me to be. I can incorporate different types of prayer into my own private devotions, I can worship in “traddie” parishes, or in those like my own. As long as I am under the umbrella of Mother Church, confess my sins and receive absolution, receive the Eucharist, and follow no heretical doctrines, I can be ME. I haven’t found that freedom ANYWHERE else, and I have been Pentecostal, Nazarene, Presbyterian, Assembly of God, Baptist, Independent, and Episopalin in my 60+ years of trying to follow Christ. The answer truly lies in the Catholic concept of being drawn closer and closer into the heart of Christ.
John,Excellent point; redemptive suffering doesn’t seem to have mixed well with many current strains of the charismatic movement.My own perspective re: the Charismatic Renewal is one of wariness. I respect it in the abstract, as a valid action of the Holy Spirit (esp. cf. CCC 799-801, etc.), but the charismatic movement (like any movement oriented around high energy and dynamism) is prone to have its individual prayer groups, members, etc., “fling off” into heterodoxy (or worse) due to sheer emotional centrifugal force. I was a member of such a charismatic group with members who–though the individual people were mostly very kind, thoughtful and devout–moved away from orthodoxy and obedience to the Church (and such obedience is required!) because of a faulty understanding of “ecumenism”, and out of a desire to avoid “stifling the spirit”.I’m also appalled at the extent to which charismatics take it upon themselves to command the fallen angels (e.g. “I rebuke you and cast you out, spirit of addiction, in the Name of Jesus!”), when the Church expressly forbids that insanely dangerous practice; honestly, what are they *thinking*? No authority, no command devils and demons, yah?
As far as “charismatic” means the inspiration of and reliance on the Holy Spirit, I’m all for it.However, as others have mentioned, the Charismatic movement has very poor theology in regards to suffering.I grew up in a parish that was very active in this movement, and met very little understanding when it came to difficulties in my personal life, including ailing loved ones. My desire to embrace suffering and offer it up was nearly always met with forbearance and an attitude that I was being negative.Furthermore, I find myself unable to listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit at most Charismatic Movement masses or gatherings, as there is simply too much confusion and noise. On the contrary, many times I have been praying just before mass only to be shaken out of prayer.
The Catholic Charismatics love the lord and are not afraid to show it. It’s great to have other people who talk about Jesus so openly. I thank the Church for recognizing and allowing this beautiful praise and worship to our King. I know Jesus is smiling.