"Set the World on Fire" June 25, 2021

The CCRNO Regional Conference begins TONIGHT at Divine Mercy Parish! The theme for this year’s conference is “Reboot, Refresh, and Renew!” As we prepare for this spirit-filled event, it begs the question: What is the Catholic Charismatic Renewal?   

St. John the Baptist told his followers that the Messiah “will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire.” (Luke 3:16) In the Acts of the Apostles, we see that the early Church believed this and saw it come to pass. They continued to pray for the outpouring of the Spirit. On the Day of Pentecost, the Church was born as tongues as of fire came upon the Apostles. Gifts of healings, prophecy, and others were documented throughout the Acts of the Apostles. St. Paul specifically preached about these charisms of the Holy Spirit in several of his letters, particularly in Romans 12, I Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4.

The "Catechism of the Catholic Church" describes it this way: "Grace is first and foremost the gift of the Spirit who justifies and sanctifies us. But grace also includes the gifts that the Spirit grants us to associate us with his work, to enable us to collaborate in the salvation of others and in the growth of the Body of Christ, the Church. There are sacramental graces, gifts proper to the different sacraments. There are furthermore special graces, also called charisms after the Greek term used by St. Paul and meaning "favor," "gratuitous gift," "benefit." Whatever their character - sometimes it is extraordinary, such as the gift of miracles or of tongues - charisms are oriented toward sanctifying grace and are intended for the common good of the Church. They are at the service of charity which builds up the Church." (#2003)

Down through the history of the Church, these same charisms were evident in the lives and ministries of such saints as St. Augustine of Hippo (345-430 AD), St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226), St. Dominic (1170-1221), St. Catherine of Siena (1330-1380), St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), St. John Bosco (1815 1888), The Cure of Ars (St. John Vianney, 1786-1859) and many others.

Furthermore, Church history shows that this experience of “baptism in the Spirit” did not die with the Apostles, but that it continued in strength for centuries in the Church through the present day. This experience has been part of faith life and traditions in various groups and communities throughout the history of the Church. The Catholic Charismatic Renewal is only the latest of these expressions of baptism in the Spirit and charismatic gifts.

One particularly powerful event occurred just at the turn of the 20th century. In 1895, Blessed Elena Guerra, who founded the Oblate Sisters of The Holy Spirit in Italy, wrote 12 confidential letters to Pope Leo XIII, calling for a greater devotion in the Church to the Holy Spirit. The Pope was deeply moved by these letters and published his encyclical on the Holy Spirit, "Divinum Illud Munus," in 1897. In it he states, "We ought to pray to and invoke the Holy Spirit, for each one of us greatly needs His protection and His help. The more a man is deficient in wisdom, weak in strength, borne down with trouble, prone to sin, so ought he the more to fly to Him who is the never-ceasing fount of light, strength, consolation, and holiness … We decree and command that throughout the whole Catholic Church, this year and in every subsequent year, a Novena shall take place before Whit-Sunday (Ed. - Pentecost), in all parish churches, and also, if the local Ordinaries think fit, in other churches and oratories … And now Our mind and heart turn back to those hopes with which We began, and for the accomplishment of which We earnestly pray, and will continue to pray, to the Holy Ghost. Unite, then, Venerable Brethren, your prayers with Ours, and at your exhortation let all Christian peoples add their prayers also, invoking the powerful and ever-acceptable intercession of the Blessed Virgin." Pope Leo XIII also sent a private letter to all of his bishops, instructing them that the Novena for Pentecost should be prayed at the dawn of the 20th century.

The renewal of this experience of “baptism in the Spirit” began in the Catholic Church in February of 1967 when a group of students on retreat at Duquesne University began praying for a fresh outpouring of Pentecost. Many of them had profound “baptism in the Spirit” experiences, and they shared these experiences with others. They had a renewed commitment to prayer and a personal relationship with Jesus, a yearning for more knowledge in their Catholic faith and to the Gospel call to bring the message of the Jesus to others, and the use of the gifts and charisms of the Holy Spirit to bring this about. 

There followed a wildfire movement of the Spirit so profound that it led to the National Service Committee here in the U.S. and the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services in Italy. This Renewal of “baptism in the Spirit” has “set on fire” for the Lord nine million Catholics in the U.S. and 150 million Catholics worldwide, which are only a part of the 600 million witnesses through Baptism in the Holy Spirit through all denominations worldwide! What an outpouring of the Spirit in 50 years! Many Catholics having experienced this “baptism in the Spirit” – this renewal of the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation - have become more involved in their local parishes, community outreaches, youth ministry, and missionary work.

Pope St.  John Paul II called the Renewal a “gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church” (March 14, 1992). And on the eve of Pentecost 2004 he stated, “Thanks to the Charismatic Movement, a multitude of Christians, men and women, young people and adults, have rediscovered Pentecost as a living reality in their daily lives. I hope that the spirituality of Pentecost will spread in the church as a renewed incentive to prayer, holiness, communion and proclamation.” In 1998, he stated, "For this reason, I also say to you: 'Open yourselves with docility to the gifts of the Holy Spirit! Receive with gratitude and obedience the charisms that the Spirit does not cease to offer! Do not forget that all charisms are given for the common good, that is, for the benefit of the whole Church!"

I look forward to seeing you at this year’s CCRNO Conference and pray that each of you experience a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit in your life! For more information or to register for the Conference, please visit: https://ccrno.org/reboot-refresh-renew 

Fr. Robert T. Cooper, Pastor
Divine Mercy Parish and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School