'Let us return to the origin' Cardinal Cantalamessa calls Renewal back 'to its roots'

By Andy Drozdziak

Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa has said that Catholic Charismatic Renewal must"return to its roots."

He said: "The Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the Holy Spirit is called to return to its roots, to its origins. It must not lose its identity. The Renewal must live: new, once again what was new."

Cardinal Cantalamessa, an Italian Capuchin Franciscan priest, served as Preacher of the Papal Household for 44 years under Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis. He has been a supporter of Catholic Charismatic Renewal for many years, saying: "The Charismatic Renewal is a new Pentecost for the Church."

Identifying key and effective elements of charismatic activity, he said:"Prayer, adoration and praise in the power of the Holy Spirit in the midst of a risen Jesus and proclaiming him as Lord."

In his latest message, he is calling the Catholic Charismatic Renewal to key elements of how it was founded, saying: "If the Charismatic Renewal does not return to its origins, it will die. Its origin is praise, prayer, worship, the word proclaimed and lived."

Cardinal Cantalamessa, who has been hailed as "a great presence as a teacher and guide for the worldwide Catholic Charismatic Renewal", reminded those in the Renewal that "it all began in the prayer meeting."

In 1967, at the now famous 'Duquesne weekend', a small group of students at an American university retreat weekend received a special moment of grace that helped unleash the Charismatic Renewal in the Catholic Church. The students who gathered at Duquesne, including Patti Gallagher Mansfield, were overwhelmed by the power and love of the Holy Spirit during a special prayer meeting, which you can read about here.

Cardinal Cantalamessa said: "Let us return to the origin. That is why everyone who is active in the renewal must know its essence and not lose sight of it. Prayer, adoration and praise in the power of the Holy Spirit in the midst of a risen Jesus and proclaiming him as Lord."

He also underlined the importance of the Eucharist in being effective missionaries, saying: "Be rooted in the Eucharist. Only then will [the Renewal] proclaim with power the two graces that are its mission: 1. The kerygma (evangelisation) 2. Baptism in the Holy Spirit."

"Pope Francis has emphasised the mission of the charismatic renewal and invite[d] us to share in seminars on life in the Spirit (kerygmatic retreats) and baptism in the Spirit (outpouring of the Spirit). He calls the charismatic renewal a 'current of grace.'"

Picture: CHARIS International