ICCRS

What is the Catholic Charismatic Renewal?

“The love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:5

At a retreat for undergraduate students from Duquesne University held at The Ark and The Dove Retreat Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (USA), in February 1967, the Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) got its start. The kids had prayed throughout the weekend, pleading with God to provide them the opportunity to experience the same grace they experienced during their baptism and confirmation. The students had a life-changing encounter with God that weekend that became known as "baptism in the Spirit." The weekend's events and the Spirit's presence were rapidly reported across the college campus and subsequently to other campuses across the nation.

Within a short period of time, the charismatic experience began to affect normal churches and other Catholic institutions, moving beyond universities. Networks and loosely organized groups were created. In the middle of the 1970s, Catholic charismatic conferences started to be conducted, bringing over 30,000 attendees to the Notre Dame campus in South Bend, Indiana.

The Church became interested in the Renewal, and the movement's founders had many meetings with both Pope John Paul II and Pope Paul VI in 1975. Additionally, a number of the bishops' conferences from different nations have submitted pastoral letters of support for the initiative.

There isn't a single, cohesive global movement known as the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. Unlike many other movements, it does not have a single founder or set of founders. There are no membership directories. It is a very diverse group of people, organizations, and activities, such as covenant communities, prayer groups, schools, small faith sharing groups, revitalized parishes, conferences, retreats, and even participation in different apostolates and ministries, which are frequently quite independent of one another, in various stages and modes of development, with various emphases, but which nonetheless share the same fundamental experience and uphold the same broad objectives.

The "baptism of the Holy Spirit" serves as the Movement's unifying principle. Although many have been "baptized in the Spirit" outside of the seminar, for many people this fresh, potent, and life-altering outpouring of the Holy Spirit occurs in the framework of a carefully planned seminar called "Life in the Spirit."

To foster mature and continuous personal conversion to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.

To encourage a definite personal openness to the Holy Spirit's person, presence, and power. In what is known variously as a baptism in the Holy Spirit, a release of the Holy Spirit, or a renewal of the Holy Spirit, these two spiritual blessings are frequently experienced simultaneously. Most frequently, they are seen as a personal acceptance of the blessings of Christian initiation and as an empowerment for individual Christian service in the Church and in the wider community.

To encourage the acceptance and application of spiritual gifts (charismata), both inside the CCR and throughout the larger Church. Laity, religious, and clergy members all possess a wide variety of these abilities, both ordinary and remarkable. Christians can draw strength from them as they pursue holiness and carry out their mission by properly understanding and utilizing them in unison with other facets of church life.

To encourage the work of evangelization in the might of the Holy Spirit, including the re-evangelization of nominal Christians, the evangelization of culture, and the evangelization of social institutions. Through the proclamation of the Gospel in speech and practice, as well as through personal testimony and the deeds of faith and justice to which each individual is called, CCR specifically encourages participation in the Church's mission.

To encourage the continual development of holiness by properly integrating these charismatic themes with the entire Church's activities. This is achieved by taking part in a vibrant sacramental and liturgical life, appreciating the history of Catholic spirituality and prayer, and continuing education in Catholic theology. The Church's Magisterium and involvement in the Church's pastoral plan serve as the direction for this.

What Does the CCR Do?

Communicates

The ICCRS maintains constant communication with national Renewal leaders as well as community and Charismatic leaders around the world, helping to spread the experience of the personal Pentecost, also known as "baptism in the Spirit" or "outpouring of the Spirit," which has affected more than 120 million Catholics to date.

Calls

International conferences are organized by ICCRS for both leaders and non-leaders. Let's consider, for example, the Pentecost event in the Palaghiaccio di Marino in Rome in 2006 with 7,000 guests from 84 nations, or the International Meeting of the Renewal in Rimini with 1,800 delegates from 80 countries on the occasion of the Holy Year 2000.

Promotes

In response to Pope John Paul II's invitation to Movements to work on a deep "ecclesial maturity" of their own members, ICCRS encourages the pastoral and theological solidarity from several CCR groups and, starting in 2005, is actively committed to organizing and imparting "theological and charismatic" formation to the leaders around the world.

Sustains

The ICCRS provides financial assistance to CCR centers in poor nations and endeavors to cover the costs of representatives from member nations attending conferences it organizes.

What Can You Do for CCR?

Pray

Everyone may support ICCRS in achieving its goals by, first and foremost, praying for it and making requests on its behalf.

Participate

A potent method of promoting ICCRS and its function through the CCR is through taking part in international events and urging others to do the same.

Contribute

National, regional, diocesan service committees, various charismatic communities and realities, as well as private donors, provide ICCRS with the funding it needs to operate. Charitable organizations also contribute extra money for unique initiatives.

International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services