For an ever “charismatic” Church

Pope Francis thanked the participants at the Circus Maximus for their testimony during the meeting on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, celebrated on the afternoon of Saturday, June 3^rd, the eve of Pentecost. “It's good for everyone, it's good for me, for all,” he said, in the introduction of his address after the interventions of the Preacher of the Papal Household, Father Raniero Cantalamessa and Pentecostal Pastor Giovanni Traettino.

The Holy Father, who personally invited the CCR to Rome for the celebration of its Golden Jubilee, also wanted this meeting to be ecumenical, open to Christians of other confessions. Consequently, the leaders of the organization of the event and witnesses of the first hour of this “current of grace,” were joined by three hundred delegates of Christian churches that are living the “charismatic” experience. “Was this work born ... Catholic? No!—said the Pope—it was ecumenical at its outset! It is ecumenical because it is the Holy Spirit who creates unity, and the same Holy Spirit gave it the inspiration for it to be so!”

Recalling the origins is, then, for the Holy Father, the task to which the entire Renewal is called, and that the Church expects from this “current of grace,” which must be “shared with everyone ... Baptism in the Holy Spirit, the Lord’s unceasing praise, walking together with Christians of the different Churches and Christian communities, in prayer and action in favor of the neediest ... Serving the poor and the sick.”

The ecumenical vigil with the Holy Father was prepared the preceding day by the celebration of a Mass of reconciliation presided by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life. He, too, in his homily, highlighted the good that the CCR has done and does in the Church.

Communion is necessary to live, as true Christians, “the life of Christ in us,” which is embodied in the communion with the pastors, with the life of the diocese and the parish, among all charismatic groups and with other movements. It is the most necessary thing, so that “the Church may better understand the CCR and the RCC may truly help the Church to be and remain ‘charismatic’.”