The Charismatic Renewal is a movement in the Catholic Church which fosters in people a release of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The charismatic renewal promotes prayer meetings, conferences, Life in the Spirit seminars and other spiritual exercises that foster a renewal of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and a deepening of the Christian life in the individual.”At this moment in the Church’s history, the Charismatic Renewal can play a significant role in promoting the much-needed defense of Christian life in societies where secularism and materialism have weakened many people’s ability to respond to the Spirit and to discern God’s loving call. Your contribution to the re-evangelization of society will be made in the first place by personal witness to the indwelling Spirit and by showing forth His presence through works of holiness and solidarity.” – Full Text ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS JOHN PAUL II March 1992
The institutional and charismatic aspects are co-essential as it were to the Church’s constitution. They contribute, although differently, to the life, renewal and sanctification of God’s People. It is from this providential rediscovery of the Church’s charismatic dimension that, before and after the Council, a remarkable pattern of growth has been established for ecclesial movements and new communities. – Full Text SOLEMNITY OF PENTECOST 1998
Father Raniero Cantalamessa the preacher for the Papal Household for both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI has said in an interview, “Baptism in the Spirit makes the Catholic Charismatic Renewal a formidable means willed by God to revitalize Christian life. Click to read full text of interview
“More than anything else today, what is needed is the baptism of spirit and fire. This alone can prepare those who shape human life to take their rightful place at the front lines in the great battle between Christ and Lucifer. There is no more urgent task than to be constantly armed and ready for this battle. For, ‘if salt loses its savour, how can it be restored?’” – Edith Stein (1932)
Every Catholic needs to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. – Ralph Martin