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Charismatic Gifts for All Catholics

Does God desire to give the charismatic gifts to every Catholic or just a select subgroup? Well, to everyone of course! But it's amazing how many Roman Catholics have difficulty receiving the charisms because they're unaware of the Spirit moving among their leaders. This page is just for them.

Typically these Catholics view the charisms as a legitimate work of God, but also as something that's not for everyone. To counter that thinking here are some things to keep in mind.


Catholic Charismatic HistoryExternal link (opens new browser window)
youtube film w/papal endorsements of the charisms

Sober IntoxicationExternal link (opens new browser window)
The Vatican official preacher encourages Holy Spirit power

Holy Spirit WorkshopExternal link (opens new browser window)
Audio lecture on releasing the charismatic gifts!

A. The sacrament of Confirmation traces its roots way back to biblical times, to what charismatics call the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. In earlier centuries during times when charismatic experiences became less frequent, extra prayers were added to the sacrament to give it more meaning so that today Confirmation encompasses the Baptism in the Holy Spirit plus other things. However, today when members are confirmed they should be releasing gifts of the Holy Spirit, but often don't because the celebrant and the recipient are often unaware that this should be experienced. In fact, in the early church becoming a Christian and being baptized in the Holy Spirit were together part of one initiation into Catholicism!

Cardinal Suenens, a close collaborator with Pope John XXIII and a major architect of Vatican II Council said:

To interpret the [Charismatic] Renewal as a movement among other movements is to misunderstand its nature; it is a movement of the Spirit offered to the entire Church and destined to rejuvenate every part of the Church's life. The soul of the renewal—Baptism in the Spirit—is a grace of Pentecostal refreshment offered to all Christians.

B. All of the major Catholic spiritual leaders encourage the charismatic gifts. Here are samples:

C. Below is a wonderful recent encouragement from Pope John Paul II to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It comes from his sermon on Pentecost (5/30/98), You may want to share this with those who need more promotion from Rome. I particularly liked these two portions in sections 4 & 5:

Whenever the Spirit intervenes, he leaves people astonished.  He brings about events of amazing newness; he radically changes persons and history.  This was the unforgettable experience of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council during which, under the guidance of the same Spirit, the Church rediscovered the charismatic dimension as one of her constitutive elements...  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.

Today, I would like to cry out to all of you gathered here in St. Peter's Square and to all Christians:  Open yourselves docilely to the gifts of the Spirit!  Accept gracefully and obediently the charisms which the Spirit never ceases to bestow on us!
  

You can also view the rest of The Pentecost 5/30/98 Speech
or other related information from the Catholic Charismatic CenterExternal link (opens new browser window)

Make love your aim and eagerly desire the spiritual gifts.
I Cor 14:1
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