Charismatic Renewal

Evangelizing Catholic Culture with Father David Tickerhoof

What Happened to the Charismatic Renewal Episode 28

Charismatic Renewal in the Catholic Church in this country emerged right at the close of Vatican Council II in the years of 1966-67. Young leaders in East Lancing and Ann Arbor, Michigan and a few other places began holding prayer and praise gatherings, and some of the participants began experiencing the manifestation of the charismatic spiritual gifts.

This inspiring book by Father David Tickerhoof, Third Order Regular (TOR), on the role of Merciful Penitents in the Renewal and Reform of the Church

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What Happened to Charismatic Renewal?

To mention a few: praying in tongues, prophesy, healing, words of wisdom, etc. (1 Cor. 12: 4-9) They did not know what to call these spiritual gifts, so they consulted several theologians in the Church. They asked the leaders what was happening? The leaders related what was happening at the prayer meetings. The theologians responded that these manifestations were charisms. They suggested that the leaders call it the charismatic renewal. This suggestion may or may not have been a wise one, because right from the start it separated those who received the gifts from other believing Christians. This quickly caused a reaction and resistance by those who had not received the gifts. From time to time you would hear people say, “that is not my spirituality!”

Over 50 years have passed since the beginning of this phenomenon, and many wonderful things have happened in the Church. Initially, prayer groups sprang up within the Church. Many individuals went through a short preparation program called a “Life in the Spirit” seminar, after which a person would be prayed with for an actual grace of empowerment called “the Baptism in the Spirit”. This experience for an individual usually brought forth a wonderful new experience of grace, empowerment, and refreshment; usually a transforming gift of love from the Holy Spirit where a huge difference happened in their spiritual life, in addition to the experience of some of the spiritual gifts. Significant activity and effects from this grace of renewal began in a person immediately. A personal relationship with Jesus became so real with many individuals, a new love for reading the Word of God, a noticeable and permanent enhancement of the grace and power of the Holy Spirit guiding and leading one in their daily personal life, and other blessings as well.

The dynamism of this grace made major contributions in many aspects of relationships, services to the poor, and significant spiritual growth. Different types of new communities or associations developed for the purpose of providing various kinds of Christian service for others. Some of these new communities became identified as covenant communities, which made available growth and personal formation and supported members in living a fuller and richer way of life. The Renewal Movement developed many different types of mercy services and good Christian teaching for others. It also provided for various ministries and works of evangelization. It cannot be overstated how much personal good this movement and its fall out have had for many individuals and for abundant life in the Church.

I can assure you that I would not be sitting here preparing this podcast if God in his goodness and mercy had not bestowed this wonderful grace of new life, spiritual refreshment, empowerment, and transformation on me in 1969. I am profoundly grateful that the Lord poured out this beautiful unmerited gift of grace upon me at the time of my deepest need; and I will praise and thank Him forever for his gracious mercy to me.

From the early days of Charismatic Renewal until this very day many things have changed. Some prayer groups have died out for lack of interest or just disappeared. The early leaders who were young at the time never recruited new members and the young leaders are now in their late seventies and early eighties; the numbers in attendance have significantly depleted. Some people who received a meaningful spiritual renewal have gradually lost the strong impact they once experienced. The new social religion of Secular Humanism has caused many who began well to not be ending very well in the process of Christian maturity and a holy way of life. Secular Humanism has infiltrated all aspects of society, also many aspects of Church life. Generally, it could be defined as a way of understanding what it means to be a human being. It entails living a set of values that holds there is no need for God in our human life. It is necessary to push God out of the margins of human existence. We, humans, are independent and have no need of God or religion. It tends to be narcissistic and rigorously independent submitting to no one; yet leaving the human soul anxious, empty, lonely, and fearful. If we tried going back to the beginning of the Renewal attempting to recapture the grace and enthusiasm, we may find that effort impossible. So the question I leave with you is this: Where do we go from here, and how do we benefit and increase the wonderful things that God may want to do in us and for us in the days ahead? The next podcast will look at some possibilities that may be helpful!

May we Pray!

Father, we rejoice in your love and mercy. We know that you have a wonderful plan for the Church and for our personal lives. We truly hunger for your love and grace in order to know, love, and serve you in every way we can. We plead with full assurance for much more of your Holy Spirit and the precious gifts that you have in store for us in the days ahead. Together with Mary our Mother we humbly and peacefully beseech you abundantly for these rich treasures through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen

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