“The Holy Spirit, received into the heart and life, cannot help but open, move, and let go; The Holy Spirit always compels us to proclaim the gospel and go out with our inexhaustible imagination. It is up to us to be docile and cooperate with him, without ever forgetting that the first announcement is made with our life testimony! What's the point of praying for a long time and singing beautiful songs if we don't have patience with others?” Francis told members of the National Council of the Italian Charismatic Renewal
Manoel Tavares/Raimundo de Lima News from the Vatican
Listen and share in the voice of Pope Francis
The Holy Father received this Saturday morning, the 20th, in the Consistory Hall of the Vatican 85 members of the National Council for Renewal in the Holy Spirit, the Italian Charismatic Renewal.
In his address to the members of the Council and the members of this ecclesial movement, the Pope recalled that in recent years he has promoted CHARIS, the International Service for Catholic Charismatic Renewal. And just recently, last November, he had the opportunity to meet the participants of the meeting organized by CHARIS and encourage them to continue the path of the community and take into account their recommendations.
Today, Francisco addressed in particular to the leaders of the movement at the national level and wanted to share a pastoral vision about his presence and his ministry.
Service for prayer
First, the Holy Father thanked the Lord for the good that the renewal communities are sowing among the holy and faithful people of God. A simple and joyful spirituality also helps. He next reflected on two particular aspects of the movement's life: “service in prayer,” particularly in worship; and “Ministry of Evangelization.” Regarding the first aspect he said:
“The charismatic movement, by its very nature, gives space and emphasis to prayer, especially to the prayer of praise, which is very important.” Be aware of this! , we must give more space to thanksgiving, praise and amazement at God's grace.”
He therefore called on the members of the Charismatic Council to continue to serve the Church and to promote in a special way the prayer of adoration: a service in which silence prevails and in which the Word of God can prevail over our words; In short, a service where the Lord is truly the focus and not us.
Pope's Audience with Members of the National Council for Charismatic Renewal of Italy (Vatican Media)
Ministry of evangelization
After this first aspect of the service of “prayer,” Francis proposed the second: the service of “evangelization,” which is part of the DNA of the charismatic movement:
“The Holy Spirit, received into the heart and life, cannot help but open, move, and let go; The Holy Spirit always compels us to proclaim the gospel and go out with our inexhaustible imagination. It is up to us to be docile and cooperate with him, without ever forgetting that the first announcement is made with our life testimony! What is the point of praying long and singing beautiful songs if we have no patience with others… Concrete charity and service in anonymity are always proof of our announcement.”
Therefore, “prayer and evangelization” are part of the charism and history of the movement. However, the Successor of Peter also has a charism: that of “communion” with which he confirms his members: effective communion, especially “with the bishops”. Thus, the renewing community remains at the service of the entire community, the diocese and the parish. But also, the Pope recalled, in communion “with other ecclesial institutions, associations, movements, groups” through the witness of brotherhood, mutual appreciation in diversity, cooperation in the commitment to common initiatives, service to the people of God and in social issues.
Above all, be builders of community with one another
Finally, the Holy Father concluded his address to the members of the National Council for Renewal in the Spirit with an exhortation to be builders of the community, especially among themselves, within the Movement, but also in parishes and dioceses.
Pope's Audience with Members of the National Council for Charismatic Renewal of Italy (Vatican Media)