The word "charismatic" derives from the Greek charisma which refers to the free gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit. Those involved in the charismatic movement share a personal experience which they call the "baptism of the Holy Spirit," through which God's Spirit renews them and fills them with grace. Some receive special gifts such as that of healing or speaking in tongues.
The charismatic movement in the Catholic Church has grown from a prayer group of some 20 individuals, faculty and students at Duquesne University, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1966. It spread quickly to the University of Notre Dame, the Catholic students at the Michigan State University, the University of Iowa, University of Portland (Oregon), and elsewhere. At the present time, there are charismatic groups in most Catholic parishes in the United States.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that charismatic gifts are given to build up and strengthen the common good of the Church. As to why the charismatic movement is coming into the Catholic Church at the present time, only God knows for certain. It has been speculated that God has allowed the gifts of the Holy Spirit to be awakened in the Church, to shine forth as they did in the early centuries of the Church, in order to awaken the Church so that it will minister to all the souls who are being lured away to other denominations.
Recommended reading:
Catechism of the Catholic Church, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1994, paragraphs 951, 2003
O'Connor, Edward D., C.S.C., The Pentecostal Movement in the Catholic Church, Ave Maria Press, Notre Dame, IN 46556, 1971
Q. I feel that I need some instruction on what takes place at the healing Mass. I really do not understand what I see happening.
At a healing Mass here at St. Charles Borromeo, at the conclusion of the Mass itself, parishioners who have the charism of healing (1 Corinthians 12:9) lay hands on those who come for prayer and pray for their requests. As some people are being prayed over, the power of the Holy Spirit will come over them and they will fall backward and rest in the Spirit. As these people are resting in the Spirit, God will minister to them and they will be filed with peace (one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22)).
