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BRIEF
HISTORY OF THE RENEWAL
Since 1967, millions of Catholics all over the world have been experiencing a remarkable spiritual renewal of their Christian lives, together with many charismatic gifts of the Spirit. Because of the Spirit, the Church preserves a continual youthful vitality.
The Church has seen the fruits of the devotion to prayer which has deepened the commitment to holiness of life and love for the Word of God. And generously sharing God’s gifts with the poor and unfortunate of this world in justice and charity, so that all people may experience the dignity that belongs to them in Christ Jesus.
Pope John Paul II had high praise for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal: “I willingly join you in giving praise to God for the many fruits which it has borne in the life of the Church. Renewal following the Second Vatican Council was a particular gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church.” He further said, “Because of the Spirit, the Church Preserves a continual youthful vitality, and the Catholic Charismatic Renewal is an eloquent manifestation of this vitality today.”
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal is a post-Vatican II “ecclesial spiritual movement” which has spread widely throughout the Church. In the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, people are initiated into a charismatic spirituality through Life in the Spirit Seminars (LSS).
Charismatic
The Greek word “charisma” means divinely conferred power, talents or gifts. Charismatic Christians are gifted Christians. However, it is wrong to mean only charismatics are gifted. Those who are gifted should never keep for themselves. In fact they belong to others. Jesus wants every one who believes in Him should be gifted. This is Jesus’ promise to all of us, in Mark 16:17-18 “And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
English
Charismatic Prayer Group,
The Charismatic
Movement took root in the
The members of the “English Charismatic Prayer Group enjoy excellent Christian fellowship with each other and their renewed approach to Christian life serves as an inspiring model for others to follow. They are dedicated to personal prayer life and shoulder the burdens of others in charity. The Group contributes its time and efforts to support every parish activity.
In God’ providence, therefore, the Catholic Charismatic Renewal is seen to be a current of grace flowing through the entire People of God, opening them to a fresh outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit, thus enabling them to surrender their lives to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. They have discovered the spiritual riches of the Church and are filled with the desire to spread the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ everywhere (II Cor. 2:14).
Through Life in the Spirit Seminars (where the basic message of Christianity is proclaimed which allows them to receive a fuller experience of the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives), as well as the weekly prayer meetings, and through the Ministry of Intercessory Prayers, Hospital Visits many have received physical healing. Many of us need to hear the Gospel again to receive deeper commitment to Jesus Christ. These seminars are meant to provide the basic teaching about what the Lord is willing to do for all who come to Him. These seminars also provide an opportunity for people to find out more about the life lived in the power of the Holy Spirit and their relationship with the Lord, thus giving them a life transforming experience. Knowing fully well that Abba Father loves each one of us in a personal, unique and infinite way. He sent his only Son to save us from the power of sin and we should accept Him by faith. For Jesus is the Life, the Truth and the Way – the doorway to His Father’s heavenly Kingdom – and if we truly believe in Him, we will receive the joy of eternal salvation.
Main Goals
of the Renewal
The central goals of English Charismatic Prayer Group are:
1. to help Catholics receive a personal experience of the graces of Christian discipleship which is deep love for our personal Savior and Lord, a childlike trust in God the Father, an openness to the guidance and gifts of the Holy Spirit. 2. To Help Catholics understand and use the charismatic gifts, which are a source of strength for Christians in carrying out their mission and in the journey towards holiness.
3. To help Catholics rediscover the beauty and the power of prayer, both collectively as a community and personally, with special emphasis of the prayer of praise.
4. To promote the power of the Holy Spirit by proclaiming the gospel in word and deed and by bearing witness to Jesus Christ through personal testimonies.
Through this Renewal, many lives have undergone a deep conversion and have reoriented themselves towards God. They have understood the meaning of Eucharistic life, Mother Mary’s role and the centrality of the cross, which remains at the core even after the glory of the resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Through this Renewal many understand Scripture and are able to be good stewards who take new and old things out of his storage room .. Mt. 13:52.
Jesus promised
his apostles (just before He ascended into Heaven) “But when the Holy Spirit
comes upon you, you will be witnesses for me in
Like the first
disciples, very many find themselves moved in a new way to the Praise of God,
even beyond their power to express this praise in words, thus proclaiming that
Jesus is Lord of all Lords and King of all Kings. Thus stirring up of the power of the Spirit
already received in the sacraments – to rekindle the gift of God that is within
you – as Through the action of the Holy Spirit they make Jesus the Lord of their lives.
(Eph 5:18-20)
To Praise means to Express one’s appreciation, admiration, approval of God and his deeds, whereas to worship means to interiorize these same sentiments and surrender oneself to God’s loving will. Good worship calls for silent adoration and contemplation, whereas good praise calls for vigorous expression. In Psalm 47, it teaches us to praise God with clapping and dancing with musical instruments and raised hands
Open thou my lips O Lord, and my mouth shall declare thy praise. The lives of saints Augustine, Francis of Assisi, Teresa of Avila are full of both vocal Praise and silent Worship.
Through our prayer meetings, we are nourished from the Word of God and the words of knowledge and of wisdom, and from teaching and some witnessing. Just as Joyful praise is certainly a part of the Christian’s life so too is the Cross. – Carry your cross and follow me, says the Lord. Constant dying to oneself will enable us to Love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul with all our might and with all our strength and love your neighbor as yourself.
After the prayer meeting there is usually a time for petitions and for intercessory prayer and for praying over or ministering to those in need. In this manner, we grow in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
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