“Charisms are not historical - they are current. God wants to act today.” Reflections from CCR Prayer Group event in Rome

The first Worldwide Catholic Charismatic Renewal Encounter for Prayer Groups in Rome was a catalyst for renewal, challenge, and Spirit-filled commissioning, said Eddie and Ann Drozdziak from Cheshire.

In what was described as a historic meeting, 1000 people from 66 countries took part in the first Worldwide Catholic Charismatic Renewal Encounter for Prayer Groups in Rome from 4-6 April 2025, under the overall theme of “Joyful Witnesses of Hope” (Romans 12:12) - a call for prayer groups to be dynamic, Spirit-led, missionary communities that boldly witness to hope in the power of the Holy Spirit.

It was a packed programme of  prayer meetings, talks, teaching, praise, worship, prophecy, Mass and Adoration. The Speakers were:

Pino Scafuro – CHARIS Moderator

Andres Arango – Coordinator of CHARIS Prayer Groups Commission

Michelle Moran – past president of ICCRS

Jean Christophe Sakiti – Member of CHARIS Prayer Groups Commission

Katia Roldi – Member of CHARIS Prayer Groups Commission

Bishop Joseph Espaillat – Archdiocese of New York

Fr Hayden Williams OFMCap – Itinerant preacher

Ann and Eddie Drozdziak at the CHARIS event in Rome

“If your group has lost the gift of praise, lost the miraculous, or lacks mission - it may have lost its identity.”

Here’s our summary and reflection on what, in our opinion, were the key themes and teachings from each speaker.

Pino Scafuro set the vision and tone:

• Prayer Groups are vital, transformative, and missionary by nature.

• Avoid becoming passive or insular - "Don't be a holy huddle."

• Go where there is no map – be led by the Spirit into new places and people.

Andrés Arango spoke on The Identity of Charismatic Prayer Groups and gave us a strong reminder to return to the roots (Acts 2:42–47):

• We must always preach Jesus. Jesus must be at the centre.

• Emphasise praise, signs, prophecy, and Holy Spirit-led preaching.

• Avoid routine; rediscover awe and the supernatural.

• Focus on community, unity, mission, and welcome.

“If your group has lost the gift of praise, lost the miraculous, or lacks mission - it may have lost its identity.”

Michelle Moran  spoke about Ministries in the Prayer Group, reminding us to focus on mission and service:

• When CCR loses its memory, it loses its compass 

• Serve through preaching, music, and intercession.

• "Let the main thing be the main thing": the Holy Spirit and mission.

• Preaching must be anointed, rooted in Scripture, and well-prepared.

• Music should facilitate the Spirit, not perform.

• Intercession is listening to the Spirit, not listing needs.

  
  

Michelle challenged us to ask: What are you going to do differently when you return to your Prayer Group?

"We are in a season of expansion. Enlarge the place of your tent." (Isaiah 54:2)

A wake-up call to manifest the gifts

 Jean Christophe Sakiti spoke on the Extraordinary Charisms and gave us a wake-up call to manifest the gifts:

• If there are no signs, something is wrong.

• The gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12) are for today, and they are essential.

• Be available; God can do miracles - if we believe.

“Charisms are not historical - they are current. God wants to act today.”

Katia Roldi spoke on Discipleship, Community, and Hospitality and gave a teaching on deepening roots in Christ through the following:

• Daily discipleship: surrender and personal growth.

• Authentic community: a school of love and maturity.

• Radical hospitality: to welcome is to evangelise.

“Close the doors to the enemy. Open the doors of your heart.”

 Before a long session of praise and adoration, Bishop Joseph Espaillat said a few words about Charismatic Prayer: a life of praise and worship. He encouraged lay people to lead with authenticity:

• Life itself should testify.

• Where there are no streams of living water, it is because the water is stuck. We need fresh Holy Spirit flow.

• Emphasised the urgency and reality of the anointing.

Prophetic words given during this session:

• "This is a new Pentecost. Take this anointing back to your Prayer Groups"

• "I am filling you up with my glory. Take my glory to the whole world."

  
  

  Let the Holy Spirit lead: dynamically, powerfully, joyfully

  
  

Fr Hayden Williams, speaking on the theme of the conference, Joyful Witnesses of Hope, gave a powerful call to evangelisation and mission:

• Hope gives us a Spirit-filled vision.

• Evangelisation is not optional; it’s our identity (Evangelii Nuntiandi 14).

• Go where the Spirit leads - even into dark places.

• Evangelise with joy, and bring Jesus, not just material aid, to the poor.

• Beware of becoming focused on internal issues - stay mission-oriented.

“God does the miraculous when we do the ridiculous.”

Fr Williams gave us 7 steps to safeguarding our faith:

1.    Stay in touch with the Holy Spirit

2.    Read Scripture prayerfully

3.    Lean on others in the community

4.    Believe to the point of trust

5.    Share your faith

6.    Be grateful

7.    Rejoice, even in persecution

 

Final Reflections

We feel this gathering was a catalyst for renewal, challenge, and Spirit-filled commissioning. Common threads across the talks include:

• Return to Jesus and Scripture as the centre.

• Rekindle the charisms: prophecy, healing, tongues, discernment.

• Stay mission-focused and outward-facing.

• Build loving, welcoming communities.

• Let the Holy Spirit lead: dynamically, powerfully, joyfully.

CHARIS intends to add the recordings of the talks on its website. We encourage you to look out for them and listen to them yourself, and with your prayer group.