Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR)
experience the holy spirit
What is Catholic Charismatic Renewal?
Relationship with the Holy Spirit
Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) is a spiritual movement within the Catholic Church that emphasises the availability of the power and the many gifts of the Holy Spirit in the life of every believer, and the need for a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ in order to live life to the fullest. The Church has experienced through the centuries the power of God working in and through imperfect people, all seeking to know God. CCR lies firmly within this tradition.
Praise and Worship
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) prayer meeting consists of a group of people from various walks of life. Who comes together weekly to form an atmosphere of love and support for one another and to grow in the knowledge of God’s love and to emulate this love to one another and to their neighbours.
Those who attends the CCR prayer meetings are predominantly Catholics, but the group also welcome anyone who wishes to attend.
The meeting takes place in a relaxed and joyful atmosphere where love of God is emphasised. God is praised with enthusiasm and praising God is the essence of the CCR and which is in line with the Catholic tradition, whereby praise permeates the liturgy, songs and prayer.
Sharing The Word of God
St Paul wrote in 1 Cor 14:26:
When you assemble, one has a hymn, another some instruction to give, still another a revelation to share, one speaks in a tongue, another interprets. Let all things be done to build up the community.
The Word of God is read, listened and meditate on. The teachings on the scripture and the aspects on the way of Christian life will then encourage the people to grow deeper in their spiritual life. Each prayer meeting has a programme. A time for praise and worship, a time for sharing and a time for general intercessions.
The attendees are also encouraged to share their testimony, through this testimony it will encourage and enlighten the other members to form a deeper relationship with God.
Listening to the Holy Spirit
CCR encourages the people to praise God with joy as their way and priority of life. By praising God, we are able to gaze on God’s goodness and experience his mercy and love. Thus, we than surrender all our problems, our hurts into His loving hands and many a times our problems and hurts disappeared. For healing has taken place as we praise and thank the God with joy. So let us praise and rejoice in Him. Rejoice in the Lord always.(Phillipians 4:4).
During the time of silence the members are encouraged to listen to the promoting of the Holy Spirit and to share the word or phase, it may be a word of encouragement, exhortation or consolation for the group or for one of the members present. This is known as the Gift of Prophecy.
God is praised in song and prayer for his majesty, his love and his faithfulness, and thanked for his graces in our lives.
This praise and thanksgiving may be in words, songs or through that way of praying without words known as ‘praying in tongues,’ as a form of contemplative prayer, and by others as similar to praying the rosary.
The praise and thanksgiving may be in words, songs or through an unintelligible speech known as ‘praying in tongues’ (1 Cor 14:2). For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understand him. This is a form of contemplative prayer, and by others as similar to praying the rosary.
This form of contemplative prayer follows a long Catholic contemplative tradition. St Teresa of Avila wrote of a form of prayer which she called “jubilation” — “a strange prayer I don’t understand.” She called it “a deep union of the faculties” and that “all [the soul’s] activity is directed to this praise (Interior Castle 6.6.10).
Someone may speak an exhortation or word of encouragement from God, through the Holy Spirit. The group discerns this word in the light of Scripture and the Catholic tradition.
Someone may share a brief passage of Scripture. CCR encourages the prayerful use of Scripture as taught by the Church.
A speaker may give a short talk on one of a variety of subjects aimed at helping us to know God and to lead better Christian lives.
There will usually be times of intercession for the needs of the world, the Church, parish and home. Prayer for healing is always available for those who ask for it.
Someone may relate how they have experienced God working in their life, and how God has blessed them and changed them.
Church of the Holy Name of Mary is a Roman Catholic Church situated at Permatang Tinggi. Our mission is to share the Good News of the Kingdom of God to everyone.