What is the Catholic Charismatic Renewal?

The Catholic Charismatic Renewal is a Vatican-approved movement within the Catholic Church that began shortly after the Second Vatican Council. The mission and expectation of the renewal is to "share with everyone in the Church the current of grace from baptism in the Holy Spirit (Pope Francis - Address to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, June 1, 2014)." 

What is Baptism in the Holy Spirit?

The term baptism in the Holy Spirit is adapted from the verbal phrase "baptize in the Holy Spirit" which occurs six times in scripture and is one of the most frequently repeated prophecies in the New Testament. It is announced by John the Baptist in all four Gospels (Matt 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33), by Jesus himself in Acts of the Apostles 1:5 and recalled by St. Peter in 11:16 (cf. Baptism in the Holy Spirit, International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services Doctrinal Commission).

When Jesus uses the phrase before His ascension, He is speaking directly about the Pentecost event; "while meeting with them he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for 'the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak; for John baptized with water but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit' (Acts 1:4-5)."

Today, Catholics receive the power and grace of Pentecost through the Sacrament of Confirmation. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:

"It is evident from its celebration that the effect of the Sacrament of Confirmation is the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit as once granted to the apostles on the day of Pentecost (CCC1302)." And, "Like Baptism which it completes, Confirmation is given only once, for it too imprints on the soul an indelible spiritual mark, the 'character,' which is the sign that Jesus Christ has marked a Christian with the seal of his Spirit by clothing him with power from on high so that he may be his witness (CCC 1304)."

Being baptized with the Holy Spirit, is what happened to the apostles on Pentecost and is what occurs during the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation. It is not a new sacrament.

The Role of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the Church

The role of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal is to awaken disciples to recognize and rediscover the power of their baptism in the Holy Spirit. It equips and encourages each person to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit that they received (or will receive) through the Sacrament of Confirmation. 

Recent Popes have spoken about the importance of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in assisting the Church with this mission: "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 lives. I hope that the spirituality of Pentecost will spread in the Church as a renewed incentive to prayer, holiness, communion and proclamation (Pope St. John Paul II - Vespers Homily, May 29, 2004)." 

"Let us rediscover, dear brothers and sisters, the beauty of being baptized in the Holy Spirit; let us be aware again of our baptism and confirmation, sources of grace that are always present. Let us ask the Virgin Mary to obtain a renewed Pentecost for the Church again today, a Pentecost that will spread in everyone the joy of living and witnessing to the Gospel (Pope Benedict XVI - Regina Caeli Message, May, 11 2008)."

"You, Charismatic Renewal, have received a great gift from the Lord. You were born of the will of the Spirit as 'a current of grace in the Church and for the Church.' This is your definition: a current of grace (Pope Francis - Address to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, June 1, 2014)."   

To Learn More About The Worldwide Catholic Charismatic Renewal Visit The CHARIS Website