What is CRO?

Board of Directors

GOOD NEWS!

The GOOD NEWS is that God wants to be real in every hour of your day, in whatever activities you engage. Millions of Catholics in every country of the world, have experienced a new relationship with God through a movement of spiritual renewal called the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. Housewives, corporate presidents, elderly nuns, rock stars, and people from every walk of life have been affected. Thousands of priests and bishops have had their relationship to the Lord deepened or renewed. Your life can be changed too, by the power of the Holy Spirit in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal.

WHAT IS THE CATHOLIC CHARISMATIC RENEWAL?

The Catholic Charismatic Renewal is a movement of spiritual renewal in the Catholic Church that emphasizes the need for each of us to make a personal commitment to Christ and to be empowered by the Holy Spirit. The step or process of making this commitment and receiving the power of the Holy Spirit is usually called “being baptized in the Spirit.” Although not a sacrament like water baptism, “being baptized in the Spirit” frequently helps us put into action the graces received in both baptism and confirmation. We are usually “baptized in the Spirit” in the presence of other people as they lovingly pray with us as we make this deeper commitment to the Lord. Many Catholic charismatic prayer groups offer a seminar to help newcomers understand and prepare to be “baptized in the Spirit.” This seminar is usually called “The Life in The Spirit Seminar” and has been used all over the world to help millions of people like yourself to find a deeper relationship with Christ.

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE “BAPTIZED IN THE SPIRIT?”

God is very gentle and knows just what you need. For some of us, being “baptized in the Spirit” resulted in no outward expression or emotion. Others experienced joy, peace, or a sense of the Lord’s love. God will not embarrass you. What is most important is not what happens at that moment, but what happens later.

WHAT DOES HAPPEN LATER?

For almost everyone, God becomes more real. We become aware of His presence with us. We begin to view life as opportunities to have contact with God and to do His will. But “being baptized in the Spirit” is far more than a new way of thinking. The power of God’s Spirit is released in our lives in many surprising and delightful ways. Prayer becomes less of a chore and more of a joy. One frequent “gift of the Spirit” is the gift of “speaking in tongues,” a new language of prayer and worship, a way of praying to God in words we don’t understand, but which are inspired directly by the Holy Spirit within us. Other “gifts of the Spirit” include seeing people healed through prayer, speaking wisdom to others beyond our own knowledge or ability, finding a new strength to resist temptations and discovering a boldness to speak to others about our relationship with God in the hopes of helping them come closer to Christ.

The other good effects of “being baptized in the Spirit” are too numerous to mention in a short space like this. However, many of us discovered a greater desire to be with other Christians, a new love for the Bible, the Eucharist, Mary, the Church, the sacraments and a new respect for the riches of Catholic tradition. Some of us have learned to love our spouse and children more or overcome old faults.

However, we who are “baptized in the Spirit” are not perfect. Nor are we more holy than you. Hopefully, we are holier than we used to be. Sometimes in our enthusiasm for the Lord, we do foolish things or turn people off. We still sin and need God’s forgiveness. Don’t let our weakness keep you from the wonderful things God has in store for you.

WHAT DOES THE CATHOLIC CHURCH THINK OF THIS?

The Catholic Charismatic Renewal is not a far-out, cult group. It is one of several dynamic movements adding life to the Catholic Church. This movement has been endorsed by Pope John Paul II (on several occasions), Pope Paul IV and the U.S. Catholic bishops. Notable theologians and Scripture scholars provide sound teaching and direction to the movement. The U.S. bishops have a special group responsible for providing direction and communication with the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and most dioceses have a liaison between the local bishop and the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. Archbishop Harry Flynn, the current Archbishop of St. Paul-Minneapolis, is very supportive and has attended and spoken at many Charismatic Renewal events.

HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE?

The Catholic Charismatic Renewal Office would be happy to provide you with information about prayer groups, Life in the Spirit Seminars, Healing Masses or Conferences. We can also suggest books with more information about the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. If you would like to meet with someone to discuss your relationship with the Lord (or lack of one), that can easily be arranged. Even if your life is not all that it should be, don’t hold back. You are just like the rest of us in that respect. We would be happy to share our experience of the Lord with you. God leads each person individually and we would love to help you find the specific way that He wants to enrich your life.