Charismatic Praise
& Gifts of the
Holy Spirit
Disciples of Jesus seeks to be open to the charismatic gifts, so during times of prayer and worship on the School you will probably hear people praying in what may be for you an unfamiliar way.
During the daily Mass and the evening sessions in particular, you will experience a way (and volume!) of giving praise to God that you may not be used to. If you are unfamiliar with the charismatic gifts, don’t be concerned—they are part of the Catholic Tradition— just pray in whatever way you feel comfortable. This week is an opportunity to experience and find out more about the charismatic gifts. If you need to talk about it, feel free to approach your group leader or someone on the Pastoral Care or organizing team. We are always happy to explain!
Scriptural References
“For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, he who prophesies speaks to men for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy.”
(1 Corinthians 14:2-5)
When we pray in tongues we joyfully express “the greatness of God” (Acts 10: 46), in a manner that goes beyond ordinary language into charismatic praise, for the Spirit helps us when we do not know how to pray (cf Col 3:16, Rom 8:26).
“Sing the words and tunes of psalms and hymns when you are together, and go on singing and chanting to the Lord in your hearts, so that always and everywhere you are giving thanks to God who is our Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph 5:19, cf I Thess. 5:17)
St Augustine wrote:
This is the way of singing God gives you; do not search for words. You cannot express in words the sentiments which please God: so praise him with your jubilant singing. This is fine praise of God, when you sing with jubilation. You ask, what is singing in jubilation? It means to recognise that words are not enough to express what is singing in our hears...It is melody that means our hearts are bursting with feelings words cannot express...If words will not come and you may not remain silent, what else can you do but let the melody soar? What else, when the rejoicing hearts has not words and immensity of your joys will not be imprisoned in speech? What else but sing out with jubilation?
(On Psalm 32, Sermon 1, 7-8)
Is all this Catholic?
Yes! The past four Popes have supported the Charismatic Renewal. Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis have all spoken of the renewal of the Spirit as a “hope for the Church”. It is deeply Catholic for us to live out our faith ‘in the Spirit’. In fact, it is what God has always intended for us.
What do the Popes say?
“The Catholic charismatic movement is one of the many fruits of the Second Vatican Council, which, like a new Pentecost, led to an extraordinary flourishing in the Church’s life of groups and movements particularly sensitive to the action of the Spirit. How can we not give thanks for the precious spiritual fruits that the Renewal has produced in the life of the Church and in the lives of so many people? How many lay faithful—men, women, young people, adults and elderly—have been able to experience in their own lives the amazing power of the Spirit and his gifts! How many people have rediscovered faith, the joy of prayer, the power and beauty of the Word of God, translating all this into generous service in the Church’s mission! How many lives have been profoundly changed! For all this today, together with you, I wish to praise and thank the Holy Spirit”
St Pope John Paul II
“The period following the Council scarcely seemed to live up to the hopes of John XXIII, who looked for a ‘new Pentecost’. But his prayer did not go unheard. In the heart of a world desiccated by rationalistic skepticism a new experience of the Holy Spirit has come about, amounting to a worldwide renewal movement. What the New Testament describes, with reference to the charisms, as visible signs of the coming of the Spirit is no longer merely ancient, past history - this history is becoming a burning reality today”
Pope Benedict XVI
“I don’t think that the charismatic renewal movement merely prevents people from passing over to Pentecostal denominations…No! It is also a service to the church herself! It renews us…The movements are necessary, the movements are a grace of the Spirit…Everyone seeks his own movement, according to his own charism, where the Holy Spirit draws him or her.”
Pope Francis
Charismatic Praise
On 3 June 2017, on the eve of Pentecost, Pope Francis spoke to large crowds at the Circus Maxima in Rome to mark the 50th anniversary of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. The Pope affirmed the vital role of the Charismatic Renewal in bringing a current of grace to the Catholic Church and being open to the works of the Holy Spirit:
“Thank you, Catholic Charismatic Renewal, for what you have given to the Church in these fifty years! The Church counts on you, on your fidelity to God’s word, on your readiness to serve, and on your testimony of lives transformed by the Holy Spirit!
To share baptism in the Holy Spirit with everyone in the Church, to praise the Lord unceasingly, to walk together with Christians of different Churches and Ecclesial Communities in prayer and activity on behalf of those in greatest need, to serve the poor and the sick. This is what the Church and the Pope expect from you, Catholic Charismatic Renewal, but also from everyone here: all of you who have become part of this flood of grace.” (Pope Francis)
Prophetic Word
God speaks to His people in many ways. Sometimes, He chooses to use individuals to speak a message, called a Prophetic Word, to the wider body of people. This Word may come to the person in the form of a vision, a precise set of words, a scripture verse, or even just a general sense of the message.
During the course of the week, you may feel that the Lord is giving you such a message. A common reaction is to doubt it and ask, “Is that really from the Lord, or did I just make that up in my head?” The temptation, especially for those who don’t like speaking in public, is to ignore it and hope it goes away!
Do not be afraid to come forward with the Word! There will be a “discernment team”, made up of two people of mature faith, at all major sessions during the School. Their role is to help you determine whether what you are hearing is in fact a Word from the Lord, for the wider body. Trust in this team to discern a genuine Word. But do not be discouraged if your Word is not accepted. Sometimes the message you hear is meant for a specific person, or sometimes it is for yourself alone.
We encourage you to put in writing any Prophetic Words you receive. Writing it down will help you clarify the message in your mind, and assist in the discernment and proclamation of the Word. Be bold, and the Lord will use you in mighty ways!
If you have any questions about Prophetic Word, please see your Sharing Group Leaders in the first instance. They will direct you to the right person to speak to, if they are unable to help you with your question.