CHARISMAGAZINE

ISSUE · No. 4 - YEAR 2020 // www.charis.international

Pentecost Vigil 2020

Message in preparation for Pentecost 2020 Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa ofmcap

Serve in the Peripheries Ruggero Zanon

COVID 19 : your testimonies

Veronica O’Brien Roger Matthys

Jean-Luc Moens · CHARIS Moderator SUMMARY themselves at the service in humility. The marvel is that the communion in service has given rise to a Page 4-5 magnificent worldwide communion Message of Pope Francis in prayer to the Holy Spirit which has also brought together Orthodox, Page 6 Evangelical, Anglican Christians... Letter of thanks to Pope Francis May all those who participated in this communion be thanked here. Jean-Luc Moens Page 7 But it is not only the experience of Appeal for your testimonies communion that marked this Vigil, but also the message of Pope Francis Page 8-9 (see p. 4). The Holy Father affirms Reactions to the Pentecost Vigil that to live according to the invitation Page 12-13 of in Matthew 25 is the duty of For the first anniversary of moved you were to participate in all, including those of CHARIS who Message in preparation for Pentecost CHARIS, we lived a historical, this song in tongues. are “all the charismatics united”. 2020 ecumenical Pentecostal Vigil, a This Pentecost 2020 has highlighted He invites us to emerge better from Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa ofmcap true Pentecost of the nations. We in a special way one of the reasons this pandemic by placing ourselves were more than 200,000 gathered why the Vatican erected CHARIS: at the service of Christ present in Page 14-17 virtually to implore the Holy Spirit communion. The Vigil dramatically the poor. CHARIS takes this call of Serve in the Peripheries and pray for a new Pentecost highlighted the communion the Supreme Pontiff very seriously for the Church and the world. service of CHARIS. Personally, I and has committed itself to work Ruggero Zanon had never had such an experience in this direction (see p. 6). In this In Babel, people were separated of worldwide communion among issue, in particular, we propose a Page 18-25 into countless different languages. all the expressions of the Renewal reflection on the evangelization of COVID 19 : your testimonies At Pentecost, as recorded in Acts, that came together to make this the peripheries, accompanied by the Holy Spirit brings about the Vigil a success. In fact, one should testimonies of actions in the context Page 28-31 communion of nations: “Parthians, not believe that the realization of of the Covid-19 pandemic. Many, Veronica O’Brian Medes and Elamites, inhabitants this Vigil rested only on the small in fact, have been the members Roger Matthys of Mesopotamia, Judea and staff of the CHARIS offices in , of the Charismatic Renewal who Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, obliged to work at home for reasons have committed themselves to the Photo Credits Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and of confinement. The success came service of the sick of the pandemic that part of Libya near Cyrene, from the communion that was built or of people in precarious situations Pg. 4 - Flickr Romans in residence, both Jews between people, young and old, as a result of this terrible illness. Pg. 12 - Vatican News and proselytes, Cretans and groups, communities, TV channels Pg. 14 - CHARIS Arabs, we hear them proclaiming from different continents, separated Pg. 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 - Associazione Vi Pacis in our language the wonders of from each other by thousands Finally, in the section on witnesses Pg. 20, 21 - New Creation Community God!” (Acts 2:9-11). Pentecost is of kilometers. It is the common to the Renewal, you will find Pg. 22, 23 - Aliança de Misericórdia the anti-Babel! This is what we work of American, Indian, French, a presentation of the figure of Pg. 24, 25 - Shalom Community Pg 28, 29, 30, 31 - Archives experienced during this Vigil. All Mexican, German, Brazilian, Polish, Veronica O’Brien who, together united, we prayed in tongues - the Argentinean, Hungarian, Togolese with Cardinal Suenens, played an language of the Spirit who prays in (and so many others) brothers and important role in the integration Postal Address: Palazzo San Calisto, 00120 Vatican City us with inexpressible groans (Rom sisters that made it possible for of the Renewal in the Church. Telephone: +39 06 698 87126/27 8:26) and who unites us beyond all this event to reach hundreds of Fax: +39 06 698 87224 our cultural or social differences. thousands of people. This result is Jean-Luc Moens Website: www.charis.international Many of you have told us how the fruit of communion where all put CHARIS Moderator E-mail: [email protected] EDITORIAL 2 CHARIS Magazine no. 4 - June 2020 Magazine CHARIS no. 4 - June 2020 3 CHARIS PENTECOST VIGIL 2020 Message of the Pope Francis

“When Pentecost day came around, they had all met together in the same place.” Thus begins the second chapter of book of Acts that we have just heard. And thanks to but this pandemic we are out either better or worse. faithful to this call of the living through has made us One does not come out the Holy Spirit! technology advances, today too, all of us, believers from various parts of the world are experience it in a much more same person. gathered together on Pentecost eve. The prophetic words of John shocking way. XXIII, when he announces the I ask you: How do you want to II Vatican Council and which We have before us the come out? Better or worse? The account continues: as mentioned in the following world, which suffers, the Charismatic Renewal duty to build a new reality. And that is why today we “Where suddenly there came verses, happened to the especially in the poorest, especially treasures, now The Lord will do it; we can open ourselves up to the from heaven a sound as of disciples. who are discarded. When all come to my mind: “May the collaborate... “Behold, I Holy Spirit so that He can a violent wind, which filled our human certainties have divine Spirit deign to answer Today more than ever we make all things new.” he says change our hearts and help the entire house in which disappeared, the world needs in a most comforting manner need the Father to send us (Rev 21:5). us to come out better. they were sitting. And there us to give Jesus to it. It needs the prayer that everyday the Holy Spirit. In the first appeared to them tongues our witness to the Gospel, When we come out of this rises to him from every chapter of book of Acts, Jesus as of fire, they separated the Gospel of Jesus. And that pandemic, we will no longer If we do not live to be judged corner of the world: Renew says to his disciples: “ … he and came to rest on the head witness we can only give it by be able to do what we have according to what Jesus tells your wonders in our time, as enjoined them not to depart of each of them. And they the power of the Holy Spirit. been doing, and in the way us: “For I was hungry and you though in a new Pentecost, from Jerusalem, but to wait we have been doing it. No, gave me food, in prison and were all filled with the holy We need the Spirit to give us and grant that the Holy for the promise of the Father everything will be different. you visited me, a stranger Spirit...” (Acts 2, 2-4) new eyes, open our minds and Church, united in unanimous about which you have heard All the suffering will have and you welcomed me.” (Mt hearts to face this moment prayer with Mary, the Mother me speak; for John baptized been useless if we do not 25:35-36), we will not come The Spirit came to rest on each and the future with the lesson of Jesus, and guided by Peter, with water, but in a few days build all together a more out better one of the disciples, on each learned. We are only one may spread the Kingdom of you will be baptized with the just, more equitable, more one of us. The Spirit promised humanity. We are not saved the divine Savior, a Kingdom Holy Spirit.” (v. 4). And, in Christian society, not in by Jesus comes to renew, to by ourselves. No one saves And this is everybody’s task, of Truth, of Justice, of Love, verse 8, he says, “ When the name, but in reality, a reality convert, to heal each one of himself. No one. St. Paul says a task for all of us. And also and of Peace.” Holy Spirit comes upon you, that leads us to a Christian us. He comes to heal our fears in the Letter to the Galatians: for you of CHARIS, who are you will receive power and behavior. If we do not work – oh, how many fears we have! “There is neither Jew nor the communion of all the To all of you, on this vigil I wish you will be my witnesses in to end the pandemic of – to heal our uncertainty, He Greek, there is neither slave charismatics. you the consolation of the Jerusalem, throughout Judea poverty in the world, the comes to heal our wounds, nor free person, there is not Holy Spirit. And the strength and Samaria, and to the ends pandemic of poverty in each also the wounds we cause male and female; for you are The third Malines document, of the Holy Spirit to come out of the earth.” of our countries, in each of one another and He comes to all one in Jesus Christ,” (Gal. written in the 70s by Cardinal of this time of pain, sorrow the cities we live in, this time make us disciples, missionary Testimony of Jesus 3:28), cohesive by the power Suenens and Bishop Helder and trial that is the pandemic, will have past in vain. disciples, witnesses full of The Holy Spirit leads us to of the Holy Spirit, through Camara, called: Charismatic to come out improved. courage, of apostolic parresia, this testimony: today the this in the Holy From the great trials of Renewal and Social Action: which are necessary for the world suffers, is wounded; Spirit that Jesus announces. humanity, and among them, A Dialogue, shows the way May the Lord bless you and preaching of the Gospel that, we live in a very wounded We know it, we knew it, the pandemic, one comes to this current of grace. Be the Virgin Mother guard you.◊

4 CHARIS Magazine no. 4 -June 2020 CHARIS Magazine no. 4 - June 2020 5 Letter of thanks A request for your collaboration to Pope Francis Charismatic Renewal and service of Man

Once again, Pope Francis invites the the best testimonies with the photos you Most Holy Father, whole Renewal to make the message of send us. The different examples you will the Mechelen document “Charismatic send us will be an encouragement for all Your message of Pentecost and the appeal it contains have touched the whole Charismatic Renewal and Social Action: A Dialogue”, of us to move forward along the path that Renewal and has found a very broad and favourable response. published in 1979 by Cardinal Leo Joseph the Pope indicates to us in these times Suenens and Dom Helder Camara, a joint when Covid-19 is forcing us to face new We do not know the exact number, but we know that your message was heard live by publication. challenges. more than 200,000 people in 8 languages, including Russian, Tagalog, Swahili etc. In addition, our prayer was attended by Norberto Saracco, a Pentecostal; Kinga Lakatos In order to deepen this appeal of the Pope, We recall that the service of man as of the Reformed Church of Hungary; Piotr Babarin, Orthodox of St. Petersburg and the CHARIS Magazine No. 5 will be entirely presented by Cardinal Suenens and Dom Whitehead couple, he a Catholic and she an Anglican. devoted to reflection and testimonies on Helder Camara touches all dimensions of the Renewal in the Spirit and service of humanity, both physical and spiritual. In In response to your message, we assure you that we, members of the Renewal, desire man in the light of Matthew 25: “What you particular, it never separates the exercise to live according to Matthew 25, with all that this means. And we want to emerge better did to the least of my brethren, you did to of absolutely necessary charity from from this pandemic. Yes, we wish, with the power of the Holy Spirit, to contribute to me. “We know that many prayer groups the equally important proclamation of the transformation of society into a more just, more Christian society for the poor, the and communities have already been salvation. Pope Francis also reminded us excluded, the sick, the disadvantaged, the forgotten, the lonely, as Cardinal Suenens and Dom Helder Camara encouraged us in their time. engaged for years in the service of man in of this: “The Spirit [...] comes to convert all his dimensions. But this commitment us into disciples, missionary disciples, We thank you wholeheartedly for your encouragement and we assure you, Most Holy is often little known. That is why we call courageous witnesses [...] for the Father, of the prayers of the whole stream of grace for your Petrine ministry. Thank you here for your collaboration: send us your preaching of the Gospel of Jesus”. for keeping us also in your prayers! testimonies... How has the Holy Spirit inspired your group, your association, Please send your contributions to Jean-Luc Moens your community to work for the [email protected] before Moderator of CHARIS service of mankind? We will publish August 31.

6 CHARIS Magazine no. 4 - June 2020 Magazine CHARIS no. 4 - June 2020 7 REACTIONS TO THE PENTECOST VIGIL We have received many reactions to the Pentecost Vigil. Here are a few of them. We are publishing them in their original language, in the spirit that we experienced at Pentecost.

Lina González Miledys Alt. Pérez Lordan Ljubenkov (Croatia) Luzia Santiago Ha sido una bendición. Un momento de verdadera Una experiencia hermosa para nuestra vida de It was wonderful to witness how so many A Vigília de Pentecostes, foi maravilhosa. Uma unidad; un sentimiento de que la unidad es fe, un evento extraordinario que sin diferencia respresentatives of CCRs from all over the planet experiência única na minha vida. Foi também posible y que unidos todo es posible. Pero más cultural, racial y económica involucró un mundo pray together. uma benção para a Comunidade Canção Nova allá del sentimiento humano, la posibilidad del que no tiene frontera para Dios, en él se evidenció Aurora Barbero poder transmitir a Vigília pela da TV Canção sentir sobrenatural de la presencia de Dios; de que todos somos iguales que pertenecemos a una Nova. un Dios que nos muestra un nuevo mundo de sola raza humana adoradores de un Dios Trino. Orar en lenguas, cantar y alabar al Señor con hermanos y hermanas de diferentes lugares, Nèbpawindé KABORE (Burkina Faso) posibilidades de lo que Él podrá hacer a través de Ir. Sandra Mara nosotros, si estamos unidos. ha sido un verdadero y auténtico Pentecostés C’était vraiment une œuvre de communion. A sensação que tive foi de estar vivendo um personal. Creo que también ha sido una bendición Ron and Leann Smith Nickodemus Richard Rinaldi momento de céu na terra, com línguas diferentes, para la Renovación Carismática y para toda la I am also touched as we pray in tongues together. mas ao mesmo tempo parece estar falando a Iglesia. (continue on page 10) We as most groups had to cancel our annual I can feel the unity of our heart as we pray. mesma língua. Charismatic Conference this year due to the Clément Tuho pandemic. By participating in this Pentecost Agatha Chen, Irene Wu and Ya-Wen Fan Charles Whitehead Quelle grâce d’unité... quel chemin de gloire pour Vigil, we had a chance to be with so many (Taiwan) Many congratulations and thanks for all your hard l’amour de Jésus. D’un mal, Dieu a suscité une countries that we never have been in contact We all unify together, just like a big Family. work which made last night such a powerful and merveille. with before. Communion is the Power. encouraging prayerful event for people all over Evilly (Brazil) Nikolina (Croatia) the world. Patti Gallagher Mansfield Uma experiência emocionante e enriquecedora. I had a sensation like I participated in first Congratulations on the beautiful and anointed Maria Carmen Rubio Poder viver Pentecostes unida a diversas culturas, Pentecost when all languages were mixed up worldwide celebration of Pentecost 2020! How En la pandemia por COVID no podíamos tener países, mas um só espírito e mesmo clamor: Vem and I felt an annointment of Holy Spirit to whole moving to hear 500 brothers and sisters praising encuentros físicos, pero un encuentro de este tipo Espírito Santo. world. God in tongues, that mysterious and powerful como el que tuvimos hizo posible la participación. Italo Fasanella (Brazil) Sunimalee (Australia) charism! You have used “digital platforms” to Creo que en adelante también por cómo están unite us in praise and to share the Baptism in the las economías mundiales, deberemos seguir Para mim foi um privilégio ter participado desta It gave me a huge sense of belonging in the Spirit with the Church and the world! pensando en tener más encuentros virtuales, para histórica Vigília de Pentecostes. Poder contribuir, mighty current of Grace that’s flowing right ainda que minimamente, para compor o “mosaico” across the Church. Michele (Mozambique) facilitar así que participemos los más posible. da unidade deu a mim e minha comunidade Kathrina (Philippines) Para mim foi uma experiência ímpar, de unidade, Monica o sentido de que a tão sonhada comunhão e de oração, de estarmos unidos num só coração e Vorrei lodare il Signore per la bellissima Vigilia di unidade nasce e se compõe de pequenos gestos. There was unity in diversity. numa só alma, como as primeiras comunidades Pentecoste e il primo compleanno del CHARIS ma Jorge Luiz Vieira da Silva Robert Tumuhimbise (Uganda) cristãs. Foi muito emocionante ver pessoas de anche ringraziare a voi il vostro lavoro per quello. It was such an awesome and powerful presence diferentes nacionalidade e portanto, idiomas E’ stato davvero molto emozionante. Uma experiência de Pentecostes, o Espírito of the Spirit that was felt even we were so many diferentes, falando a mesma língua, a língua dos Santo nos fez sentir a comunhão da Igreja. Mildred Conise miles apart. anjos. The feeling was surreal and amazing. The whole Marie-Hélène Martin Michael Joseph L. Estrella Denise Bergeron of the event was really touching to me and most Faire monter du monde entier simultanément It’s so wonderful to be part of the bigger Body Merci pour ce magnifique rassemblement especially when Pope Francis shared his wisdom une invocation de l’Esprit Saint, qu’on soit en of Christ. I felt the awesome presence of Jesus Pentecôte que CHARIS nous a permis de vivre. J’ai and the part of when everyone was praying “The été en hiver, en plein jour, au matin ou à la nuit, and His prayer to the Father that we will be One reçu beaucoup de témoignages. Lord’s Prayer (Our Father)” in own language. c’était vraiment une expérience de Pentecôte. in Him.

8 CHARIS Magazine no. 4 -June 2020 Magazine CHARIS no. 4 - June 2020 9 CHRONICLE OF THE ECUMENICAL VIGIL

Immediately after having proposed a world-wide online prayer vigil for Pentecost, CHARIS • From Germany, the group of Fr. Markus WIttal, people participated in the event live from more received numerous proposals for collaboration that have made it possible to carry out this Community of Emmanuel, who sang the Sequence than 100 countries. Looking at the time zones of important event, the first of its kind. of the Holy Spirit in 5 languages. certain countries, we can say that it was a great Technicians from around the world helped us by generously making their professional skills success. The Holy Spirit, the protagonist of the available to CHARIS, giving us access to the best of today’s technology. Their generosity • From India, Lenny Soares’ By Grace group. event, brought a great number of hearts into tune allowed the realization of our Pentecost Vigil. in this difficult period for humanity. The reactions • From Rome, the Community Shalom. Here are the names of the technicians who have worked for CHARIS from different parts of the we received made us understand that He wanted to world. They are the first ones we want to thank. Juan Pablo Chávez - USA, Everton Fernades TRANSMISSION CHANNELS comfort us. “The sleeping giant has woken up”, as and Clyde Mendonca - India, Adaiton Batissta Da Silva and Saulo Macena from Canção Nova someone said when talking about the charismatic Community - Brazil, Jean-Baptiste Dumouchel - France, Roberto Merola - Italy, Andrzej Lewek family. - Poland, Vegh Zoltán - Hungary, Solomon Islands - Trinidad and Tobago. The event was broadcast through Zoom and the channels of YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TV All that remains is for us to continue on the path Shalom of USA, TV 2000 (official television of the we have taken, putting the great potential that PARTICIPANTS Guatemala - English, Fernando Venâncio Filho Italian Episcopal Conference). the Lord has given us at the service of all. CHARIS - Brazil - Portuguese, Ciro Fusto - Italy - Italian, will continue to work and our next initiative will be These are the YouTube channels where you can Diana Margarita Ingle - New Zealand - English, directed to the young people of the whole world. Shayne Bennett, member of the : CICS (CHARIS watch the recording of the Vigil: Carmen Rosa Gito - Spain - English, Jur Jacobs They will soon receive the information. International Communion Service) connected - France, Fe.m. Barino - Philippines - Tagalog, from Australia to guide our vigil, at 4 am! More English: https://youtu.be/Mb4KquWptTw Betty Namusoke - Uganda - Swahili, H.E. Msgr. Let’s get ready! than 60 young people and families from more Italian: https://youtu.be/gS_303PGYzU Peter Smith - USA - English, Anthony Kraby - than 50 countries invoked the Holy Spirit in more French: https://www.youtube.com/ Guinea - Soussou. than 25 different languages, including Spanish, watch?v=T0mrPqnthhg We highlight ecumenical participation that English, Portuguese, Indian, Malay, Hungarian, Spanish: https://www.youtube.com/ prayed with us; Charles and Sue Whitehead - Croatian, Tamil, Swahili, French, German, watch?v=Yn_4-NXVWZE Catholic - Anglican marriage - English, Kinga Bahasa, Indonesian, Singalo, Italian, Finnish, Hungarian: https://youtu.be/iAd3kL1sPuY Lakatos - Hungarian Reformed Church, Norberto different African languages, Samoan, etc. Portuguese: https://youtu.be/MqPs2WhejzQ Saracco - Buenas Nuevas Church - Argentina - German: https://youtu.be/IN_Jb_VDI8A English, Piotr Baburin Orthodox - Russia - Russian A thousand brothers and sisters from 70 It is not a question of numbers, but of hearts countries connected live for prayer, particularly gathered together in communion. in praise, song in tongues and thanksgiving. MUSIC These are the names of the brothers and sisters GET READY! who participated in the spontaneous prayer: The beauty of our Vigil was also the participation of Denise Bergeron - Canada - French, H.E. Msgr. the groups that accompanied us with the songs: The Holy Father’s message has touched us. He Francis Kalist - India - English, Danielle Younan • From Argentina, the Evangelizing Community wanted to send his message to all charismatics - Lebanon - Arabic, Shenny de Gongora - Messengers of Peace. together. We were happy that more than 200,000

10 CHARIS Magazine no. 4 -June 2020 Magazine CHARIS no. 4 - June 2020 11 things give thanks” (1 Thess and the Switchblade” by David “Try to believe”, was the advice 5:18). Praise and thanksgiving, Wilkerson, was Merlin Carothers’ Carothers gave to its readers. doxology and the thanksgiving book “Prison to Praise”. The are man’s first two duties towards author not only recommended So let us drown the virus in a CHARIS’ MESSAGE God. The fundamental sin of the importance of praise, but sea of praise, or at least try to humanity, which, according to demonstrated - with Scripture do so. . Let us unite ourselves to IN PREPARATION the Apostle, is the source of and experience in hand - its the whole Church which, in the for PENTECOST every other sin, is the rejection of miraculous power. Gloria of the Mass, proclaims: these two attitudes: “As a result, “We praise you, we bless you, they (men) have no excuse; for we adore you, we glorify you, we 2020 The greatest miracles of the although they knew God they did give you thanks for your immense Holy Spirit are not obtained in not accord him glory (doxazein) glory”. There is no supplication Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa ofmcap response to our supplications, as God or give him thanks in this prayer, only praise! but in response to our praise. In (eucharistein).” (Rom 1:20-21). the same way, about the three While waiting for Pentecost, let young Hebrews thrown into the us begin again to sing with the “Being supremely good, burning furnace, we read that same enthusiasm as at that time with one voice they began to God would never allow the songs that brought tears to so sing, glorifying and blessing God many of us at our first encounter The Acts of the Apostles recounts and Silas invites us to leave aside, humanity to its knees; we praise any evil to exist in His by singing a hymn with which with the current of grace of the this episode in Paul’s life: at least until Pentecost, all the Him because we are sure that He works unless He was the prayer of Lauds begins every Charismatic Renewal: “Alabaré, discussion about coronavirus, or will be able to draw good out of powerful and good Sunday and every feast day: “The crowd joined in the attack Alabaré”, “Come and Worship, at least not to make it the center that very evil, for us and for the enough to bring good out “Blessed are you, Lord, God of on them, and the magistrates Royal Priesthood” and so many of everything. Let’s not sadden world. We praise Him precisely our fathers...”. (Dan 3:51 ff.). The had them stripped and ordered of evil itself” others. the Holy Spirit by considering because we are convinced that greatest miracle of praise is the them to be beaten with rods. (Enchir., 11:3). it as less important (or less everything works for the good of one that happens to the one who 23 After inflicting many blows There is one song that I would powerful) than the virus. those who love God, and above practices it, especially in trial, on them, they threw them like to mention in particular all, of those whom God loves! Consequently, the exact because it shows that grace has into prison and instructed the Moreover, the example of because of its topicality. It was I say this trembling because I opposite of sin is not virtue, been stronger than nature. jailer to guard them securely. Paul and Silas invites us to composed in 1992 by Don Moen. don’t know if I myself would be but praise! The praise of God, 24 When he received these sing hymns to God. This may Its refrain, in the original English able to do it, but God’s grace can made in the present dramatic instructions, he put them in seem absurd and difficult to The miracle of Paul and Silas text, says this: do this and more. In the Good circumstances, is faith pushed the innermost cell and secured accept, especially for those in the prison - and of the three Friday preaching at St. Peter’s to its highest degree. Jesus, Oh, God will make a way their feet to a stake. Deliverance who experience in their own young men in the furnace Basilica, I tried to identify after having calmed the storm, Where there seems to be no way from Prison. 25 About midnight, flesh the devastating effects of - is repeated in multiple some of the “goods” that God is did not reproach His apostles for He works in ways we cannot see while Paul and Silas were this scourge, but in faith we can circumstances and in endless already drawing from this evil: not having woken Him earlier; He He will make a way for me. praying and singing hymns to understand that it is possible. ways: release from disease, the awakening of the illusion of reproached them for not having God as the prisoners listened, Saint Paul proclaims that “all from drug addiction, from a being able to save ourselves, the had enough faith. 26 there was suddenly such things work for the good of him wrongful conviction, from the Not just for me or for us, but for sense of solidarity that this evil burden of one’s own past... all mankind. ◊ a severe earthquake that the who loves God” (Rom 8:28). arouses and which has pushed This is an opportunity for us foundations of the jail shook; Everything without excluding some of our brothers and sisters in the Catholic Charismatic all the doors flew open, and the anything; therefore also the to the point of heroism. I would Renewal to return to the purest chains of all were pulled loose.” present pandemic! St. Augustine add today: the awakening of origins of the stream of grace: (Act 16: 22-26). explains the profound reason religious feeling and the need from its birth, it appeared before for this: “Being supremely good, the rest of Christendom as the With their clothes torn, covered for prayer. The extraordinary God would never allow any evil people of praise, the people of in blows, and shackles on their attention to the gestures and to exist in His works unless He words of Pope Francis, even hallelujah. feet, Paul and Silas did not pray was powerful and good enough to God to help them, but instead outside the Catholic world, is a We were not alone. Our to bring good out of evil itself” sign of this. sang the praises of God. What a (Enchir., 11:3). Pentecostal brothers had had message for us members of the the same experience. One of Catholic Charismatic Renewal at We do not praise God for the The same Saint Paul recommended the most widely read books in this time! The example of Paul evil that brings the whole of to the Thessalonians: “In all the Renewal, after “The Cross 12 CHARIS Magazine no. 4 - June 2020 Magazine CHARIS no. 4 - June 2020 13 TO SERVE IN THE PERIPHERIES Ruggero Zanon

To go to the outskirts, to poverty keeps questioning But this is how the poor to me to convert the poor, fears, because - as Pope will come to us because choose the outskirts, is us. Pay attention: if you person succeeds in bringing overcoming my prejudices, Francis says - “we succeed they will find a place in our above all to discover that the decide to face it, it’s over out the best in you. These my fear, my disbelief. I in being fully human when hearts. And to that Christ outskirts are at the centre for you! You can decide to are not my gifts, my virtues, understood that this God we are more than human, who knocks (cf. Rev 3:20), of God’s heart, because look away, to avert your but the fact that I feel poor that I thought I was bringing when we allow God to lead he will finally be opened! our God “has chosen the eyes. But you know that if among the poor, that I am to the prisoners, was us beyond ourselves so that weak in the world” (cf. 1 Cor your gaze crosses that of the part of the same body, already present there and we can reach our truest Then comes the second step 1:27), because “the Gospel poor, the wall of indifference that I need everything and was waiting for me in that being”. (EG 8). We are fully to serve on the periphery: not is proclaimed to the poor” falls, you enter the spiral of everyone. face, in that look, in that ourselves when we allow to put oneself in the centre, (Mt 11:5) and because “the compassion, and you don’t fraternal greeting. If we want ourselves to be led “beyond to change perspective. Jesus kingdom of heaven belongs know where it will lead you. The first time I went into a to serve on the periphery, ourselves”. did not so much ask us to to them” (Mt 5:3). prison in Italy for a project let us allow ourselves to be do good, to be protagonists So, perhaps it is better not to for prisoners, I felt strong surprised by the other, let us Open Doors ourselves. If we want to remain with let yourself get too involved, and courageous. But it was allow ourselves to be led to God, if we want to follow him, perhaps it is better to keep enough to hear the first discover the treasure that is Pope Francis continually the periphery is our home, your distance from the poor, stories of these people to hidden in every man, even in speaks of a Church “on the Above all, he asked us to because it is there that “the because if we allow ourselves experience my poverty: what the worst of them, and going way out”: a Church that is not let him enter into our lives: Word became flesh” and to become passionate, we richness in their words, forward, let us abandon so much a Church occupied “I stand at the door and “came to dwell among us” risk losing control of our what depth, what desire all our certainties (cf. Mt with moving, with doing - knock” (Rev 3:20). Are we (Jn 1:14): he wanted to hide lives. Because the poor for infinity in their sharing, 13:44) and let ourselves be this comes later - but which ready to open that door? Are behind the tired eyes of that person is not satisfied with what freedom to be truly conquered by this wealth. is above all a Church with we sure we want to? Are we sick man, behind the dirty money, time, energy; he is themselves, what truth! open doors (cf. EG 46). sure we want to give up our and weary hands of that poor not asking us for something, And the more abysmal the Betting on weakness, comforts, our free time, our man, behind the despair of he is asking us for everything: evil they had committed, believing in man in spite of This is an extraordinary peace? Because, if we open that young man, behind the he is asking us to give him the deeper was their level everything and in spite of prophetic vision. Going out the door, if we open it wide, bars of that prison. life, to give him the totality of awareness and thirst for everyone, trusting in him to others is not primarily a it is the unwanted ones that of ourselves. And you, who true life. who does not deserve it: movement. It is an attitude. will enter. Those who are Conversion to the poor thought was patient, always this is what the Gospel asks. If we open the doors, if we unfriendly, the misfit, the available, all powerful, you I thought I had gone to It asks us to go beyond: open them wide - as Saint alcoholic, the prostitute, Poverty lays us bare, poverty experience all your limits, prison to convert the poor. beyond ourselves, beyond John Paul II exhorted us to the violent, the one nobody makes the truth in our lives, all your poverty. I understood that it was up our categories, beyond our do - it will be the poor who wants. (continue on pg. 16)

14 CHARIS Magazine no. 4 - June 2020 Magazine CHARIS no. 4 - June 2020 15 If I open the doors, it is no this poverty is our richness, God who seemed so far longer I who will decide how much the experience away, excluded from my life, when and how to go to the of our limitations brings us was there in this brother periphery, when and how to back to God, because “...it who took care of me, he was go to the poor. If I open the is when we are weak that we there in this sister’s gesture doors, I say to the world: are strong” (2 Cor 12:10). of affection. Without anyone “Here I am! And the world having spoken to me about will come, with its worries, To go to the periphery, to God, I had experienced him, its problems, with its thirst reach the forgotten, the I had touched him. for truth and justice. marginalized, those who have lost all hope, I have to The relationship at the It is there that we discover pass through my periphery centre that the poor are our every day. I must discover salvation, that the poor and welcome my poverty, The last time one of my are those who save us from look into my abyss, face my founders, Paolo Maino, relationship with the other, with God because it is to the Lk 14:21): he came for the spiritualism, who root us in weakness. Because it is in came back from Colombia, the other becomes a part poor that the Good News is forgotten of the world. reality. By their insistence, my poverty that I feel the he told how during a mission by their hunger for attention, need to turn to God. It is of ourselves. To enter into proclaimed (Mt 11:5). in a barrio in Armenia, he The other day, in Recife, for peace, for relationships, where I am most powerless relationship with the other approached an old homeless at the exit of a church, a they constantly remind us to make room for the power means to give him back the man sitting on the street woman approached me to that we are called to give life, of God. It is where I think I place he deserves: that of a In welcoming the poor, we and asked him how he was ask me for money. It was the to lose it. They constantly have reached the lowest person, that of the brother are not doing a good deed, and why he was living on poor “usual” person we meet remind us that, since Jesus point in my life that I come for whom Christ died (1 Cor a work of mercy: we are the street. The man, after every day, the one we are came into the world, it is no face to face with the infinite 8:11). It is giving him back performing a liturgical act, thanking him, said: “It had used to saying “no” to. And longer possible to love God depth of God’s love. For that dignity which opens the because we discover that been weeks since anyone I said no to him too. But this who does not see himself if there is no poverty, no door to hope and makes him this Jesus that we want had spoken to me!” He was woman insisted. So I said to we do not love the brother failure, no human baseness discover that he too is rich, to carry and proclaim, is living on the street, always myself: “With what courage we see (cf. 1 Jn 2:20b). in which God is not. There is that he too has something to already present in this in the middle of people, will you be able to speak in no sickness, no slavery, no give. poor person who is before but it had been weeks since a few days about ‘Serving on Then comes the moment loneliness in which God has us, is really present in this anyone had spoken to him. the periphery’ if you don’t when we can no longer bear not already established His face marked by suffering, He had nothing, he lacked now seek a relationship with it, when we feel the fatigue dwelling place! The relationship places us in loneliness, despair, old age. everything; but the greatest this woman?” I gave her what and the weight of so much a dimension of reciprocity: He was “without beauty or poverty, insurmountable, little change I had. Until that poverty, when we experience yes, because everytime radiance to attract our eyes, was the lack of relationships. moment, it was always me our helplessness. It is then When I was 30 years old, we believe we are going to and without an appearance who was in the center. But that we realize how much I was a dead man. In the meet the poor, every time that would have seduced abyss of my loneliness The poor - the excluded, the we believe we are doing us” (Is 53:2). It is like this, when this woman started and despair in which marginalized, the forgotten, something for them, we it is stronger than him: to cry, to thank, to seek to nothing made sense to the desperate - asks us discover that it is they who God has a weakness for embrace me, I suddenly me, God came close above all to enter into a are doing something for us, it the weak! That is his style. found myself on the other in the unconditional relationship with him. He is they who are evangelizing It pleased him to choose side receiving love and not welcome of some asks us to look him in the eye, us (cf. EG 198), it is they what is weak in the world in giving it, being evangelized people of the Via to listen to him, to touch him who reveal to us the face of order to confuse the strong and not evangelizing. Pacis Community. God in order to bring him out of Christ, the true face of God. (cf. 1 Cor 1:27). He came manifested Himself the marginalization in which Then we discover that we too to seek and save what was Thank you, Lord, for the gift to me through their he has been locked. We are poor and we understand lost (cf. Lk 19:10). He came of poverty that helps us to open houses, in their need to establish contact. that poverty is a grace that for the poor, the crippled, remain humble, that enriches patient listening. This For when we enter into opens us to an encounter the blind, the lame (cf. us with your goodness!◊

16 CHARIS Magazine no. 4 - June 2020 Magazine CHARIS no. 4 - June 2020 17 COVID-19 : your testimonies

All over the world, the Renewal is committed to serving those who have suffered directly or indirectly from Covid-19. Here are a few testimonies. As Pope Francis said: “Let us start afresh from the countless testimonies of generous and gratuitous love that have taught us how much we need closeness, care, sacrifice to nourish fraternity and civil coexistence. In this way we will emerge from this crisis stronger.”

anyone in the face, but perhaps There is also the sadness and first. That evening, he was in we ourselves are no longer the sense of loneliness of the a terminally ill state, and as capable of it. We have lost patients, who stretch out their I looked at him, in my heart, I the sense to stop and look at hand to look for a caress, a lamented to the Lord: “It is not ourselves. Only when we were gesture of attention. Lingering right that he should die like that, “For I was hungry and getting dressed, at the end of by the side of the dying, who without the sacraments, that he our turn, we discovered the are denied the presence of should leave this world without you gave me food” face of the person we worked their loved ones, I felt it was my first having received You. I with, elbow to elbow, the face duty. One episode in particular heard a voice inside me saying, Matthew 25:35 marked with protective devices left a mark on my heart. “I’m hungry, you give me food. and dripping with sweat. “At that moment, a colleague Mr. A. was a man of faith; he approaches me and asks: would hold his rosary between “Aren’t you an extraordinary I can testify that my view of his fingers without tiring. At minister of the Eucharist? Give My name is Patrizia. I am resources, often disinfected experience in my workplace. my colleagues at this time has Mass, in the little chapel of him communion yourself!”. the mother of two beautiful and reused, to physical fatigue, I start my day by getting up changed and has become more our residence, he was always After having obtained with children and I work as a health to the fear of contracting at 4.40 in the morning, doing profound. The compassion I operator in the RSA (Residenza the infection, of transmitting praise, because it is from feel for all those faces marked Sanitaria Assistenziale) in Riva it to our loved ones, to the prayer that I gain the strength by the masks and dripping del Garda. I am a member of reduction of human resources, to face my day, if I draw on with sweat is indescribable; I the Association Via Pacis. to the lack of support from the strength of the Lord, I am breathe their physical fatigue. our loved ones because of the sure that my day has a different The sadness and sense of Since the arrival of the Covid-19 danger of infection, this last meaning. loneliness that I feel when I health crisis, we, the health irreplaceable resource, which walk into patients’ rooms is professionals (doctors, nurses) everyone has the right to have For about two months now, impossible to fill. They who have been on the front line in next to them, especially in the the work seems to have been with a look full of hope extend dealing with the epidemic in last moments of their lives. taking place on a battlefield their hand towards you to look the various branches of the where one leaves covered from for a caress, a hug, a little health service; exposure to After this brief introduction to head to toe, indistinguishable comfort, a smile, who ring the the risk of infection, to an an almost dramatic setting, from each other like martians. bell ten times with any excuse emotional overload due to which every health care worker A white, green and blue army; only to see a face, which, even daunting work schedules, to in any facility experiences, I this is also a beautiful teaching; if hidden behind a mask, is the lack of individual protection want to briefly describe my not only does the virus not look familiar to them. 18 CHARIS Magazine no. 4 - June 2020 Magazine CHARIS no. 4 - June 2020 19 COVID-19 : your testimonies

some difficulty the key to the During this time of even fresh and packaged tabernacle, I took the Blessed Service for “A Time Such as greater need of those who live food. Sacrament and brought it to This” in the inner city, Bishop Frank Mr. A. Allen, pastor of Sanctuary of Through this ministry, Hope, asked us if we could the Lord has provided In this little piece of bread Mary Ann West, New Creation Community, Virginia Beach, Virginia, help provide meals for the some unexpected was concentrated all his hope. USA increase in people they are blessings. As our His face relaxed and, with the serving. We decided that we grocery stores trickle of voices that remained, could provide 90 dinners have experienced he recited with me the Hail once every other week. We shortages, we have friends of ours, who had an Mary. He did the same with provide a one dish dinner not been certain that we excess in their freezer. And his roommate, and I blessed the same evening that Hope will be able to buy all the yet again, Hope Charitable them both with the sign of the is organizing a large food ingredients for our recipes. called, informing us that they Cross, entrusting them to the distribution. Once the Lord provided two had received a donation for Lord. community sisters at the the type of meat in another How can we still serve in “Through this same store at the same time. of our recipes – just the “In this time of “stay There was a package limit in number pounds we needed. This experience showed me this time of lock up? We ministry, the Lord a living God, always present want to serve more. And yet at home”, we can force. Yet between the two It was suggested we reach has provided some of them, they were able to out to young moms, some and close. Together with everything says, “distance still serve together my colleague Simona, also yourselves”. unexpected blessings” purchase exactly the amount our own children and their Minister of the Eucharist, in the periphery, and of ground beef needed. friends, to join us in this the way has been opened deepen and forge new Another time, the meat was endeavor. They have joyfully donated by a young family, responded, cooking meals to bring communion to all A long-standing relationship relationships” without having to leave their the guests who desire it, in Portsmouth, Virginia, homes. with the approval of the between New Creation administration. Community and Church of A large aluminum pan filled In this time of “stay at home”, God, Sanctuary of Hope, has with the ingredients for a one we can still serve together in This is the extraordinary made it possible for us to pot meal for 15, is delivered the periphery, and deepen thing about my work: the serve brothers and sisters on the front porches of the and forge new relationships possibility to “make myself during these uncertain cooks. The next afternoon on two fronts, with Hope the neighbour”, to wipe on times. Hope Charitable the covered, prepared meals Charitable and with these so many faces the tears that Services, Sanctuary of are picked up, again from young families. have the taste of solitude, Hope’s outreach arm, front porches, and delivered to lighten the weight that has been New Creation’s directly to Sanctuary of Hope. oppresses, to contemplate outreach partner for many Praise God whose plans are There they are repackaged the presence of the Lord years. Our relationship has always deeper and wider into single containers and scattered throughout my deepened over the years of than our own! What joy for served as people pick up daily life.◊ service together. all of us!◊

20 CHARIS Magazine no. 4 - June 2020 Magazine CHARIS no. 4 - June 2020 21 COVID-19 : your testimonies

A hand extended to the poorest

Fr. Rodrigo Custódio Moderator of Aliança de Misericórdia www.misericordia.com.br

When I delivered breakfast started crying. So I prayed needy. The testimony of to the brothers in the for him and told him how each of these homeless street, one of them looked much he was loved by God. people has been a fulfilling at me and said, “Sister, do At the end of the prayer, reward for those who have you have a Mass today?”. he looked at me and said, been on the front lines I replied, “Because of the “Thank you! This is what I helping the most vulnerable pandemic, we won’t have needed. I feel a great peace in this time of pandemic. As the number of people partnership between the by members of the Alliance it, because we can’t have in my heart,” he infected with COVID-19 charismatic communities for the Homeless. Along crowds”. He said, “My smiled and left. among the homeless has and Catholic institutions has with the food, they receive God, I have come from far increased, the Aliança de been created to welcome instructions on how to avoid away, walking, only to hear Misericórdia has stepped up these homeless people in the spread of the virus, with the . I need José (name changed) its humanitarian assistance shelters and recovery homes. guidelines on hygiene and to talk to God”. Then he is one of the services to the poorest. More than a thousand men the distribution of masks went to have coffee [...] people living on Community members take and women have already and alcohol-based gel. When I closed, I called him the streets served to the streets to bring food, been taken off the streets to speak and said, “You daily by the Mercy in addition to the services in recent months by these These are difficult times! But came to seek God today Pact in Brazil. In provided by the various different communities. we must not forget those and I cannot let you leave addition to the social projects, where 6,000 who have nowhere else to here empty. I asked him, city of São Paulo, meals are served each week. Other beautiful partnerships go and who count on our “May I pray for you?” He the community are taking shape with welcome. The preserved life said, “Clear!” And he gave is present in 40 Many homeless people have the dioceses: in Manaus, and the gratitude of these me a big smile. He said he cities and seven come to us with despair and for example, Cáritas brothers brings back all the was very scared of dying countries, working fear of being contaminated. Arquidiocesana is financing discouraged spirit. With because of Covid-19 and with the most Faced with this reality, a 300 meals distributed daily them, we are a family. ◊

22 CHARIS Magazine no. 4 - June 2020 Magazine CHARIS no. 4 - June 2020 23 traditionally takes place in those most in need in this 600 thousand interactions with July in six Brazilian capitals time of pandemic. Halleluya Solidario. Among the such as Fortaleza, São Luís, attractions, the presence of COVID-19 : your testimonies Teresina, Natal, São Paulo In all, there were more than 13 Father Marcelo Rossi stands and Rio de Janeiro. In the thousand spectators and on the out, granting a special blessing capital city of Ceará, the Internet there were more than to the public.◊ event gathers more than one million people, during five days of event. The live broadcast took place on YouTube at the Catholic Halleluya Festival, the Shalom communities unite Missionary, the Shalom Community and of Canção in sight of the poor Nova. On TV, the images were shown on the REDEVIDA Shalom Community channel. Thousands of people were reached by the sound of hope. This solidarity movement is a way to help

Shalom Community promotes of four Catholic institutions: For the priest of the Shalom Halleluya Solidarity to raise Amigos dos Pobres (friends Community, Silvio Scopel, Pledge your support to CHARIS! funds for three other institutions of the poor) of the Shalom Halleluya Solidario was a great that perform social work. Community, Obra Lumen, experience of evangelization, Dear brothers and sisters in the Renewal, Fazenda da Esperança (Hope ecclesial communion and With the participation Farm) and Condomínio solidarity. “It is fitting of At Pentecost 2020, CHARIS celebrated its first anniversary in the service of the grace current. On this occasion, of institutions, artists, Espiritual Uirapuru (CEU). solidarity, as the name already Pope Francis addressed us: “You too, those of CHARIS, who are all the charismatics together.” Yes, as our Pope communication groups, brands says, to meet the difficulty says, all together we are CHARIS, the great family of the Charismatic Renewal! All together we are building and people of good will, the of the other, the solitude of CHARIS. Today they all work with the Halleluya Solidario was held the other, to meet what the This common construction is manifested in the world through the work of thousands of volunteers who, in many poorest who suffer even more online on June 7, 2020. In other needs,” says the priest. countries, give themselves selflessly to the service of the Renewal. We saw it with emotion during the vigil from the pandemic caused by addition to bringing a lot of In addition to the financial of Pentecost: brothers and sisters, technicians from many countries have spared neither their time nor their the Covid virus - 19. good music to the audience, collection, the online event efforts to make this event a worldwide success. All this for free... the event offered participants also evangelized through This work is also that of the headquarters of CHARIS in Rome which centralizes all the international services. the opportunity to contribute to Solidarity moments of prayer, adoration, The small team that is at your service in Rome needs your prayers, your support, including financial support. four social institutions through The “som da Esperança” announcing God’s Love and As you know, CHARIS lives only on donations. From your gifts, you who are “those of CHARIS”. But Covid-19 has donations. (“Sound of Hope”) has reached about 100 people were advised not only upset our projects, it has also affected the finances of CHARIS. In the first 6 months of this year, we many generous hearts who and received prayer over the received almost no donation. But without your donations, without your generosity, CHARIS cannot live! Promoted by the Shalom have contributed to the goal phone. Very soon, it will be possible to support us financially via PayPal or on our website by credit card. This is why we Catholic Community, the being reached and, even more, are launching a pledge campaign. We propose you to write to us at [email protected] with the promise event included more than six to raising more than was of your donation. Even the smallest donations are welcome. If all the charismatics around the world gave 1 € or hours of programming with Event foreseen. The R$ 120,000 were 1 $, CHARIS could work for more than 400 years! the participation of 15 Catholic We will write to all those who have pledged donations as soon as our banking system is effective to ask to divided equally among the four The project emerged from the artists who presented their actually send your donation. institutions so that they could Halleluya Festival, considered music in order to raise R$ We remind you that 10% of the donations received are allocated to charity. continue the work of assistance the largest Catholic music 100,000 for the social work Thank you in advance for your generosity. and evangelisation of the poor. festival in the world, which 24 CHARIS Magazine no. 4 - June 2020 Magazine CHARIS no. 4 - June 2020 25 CHARIS National Services of CNSC KOREA YOUNG-SOO Stephano YOON (Coordinatore), Fr.GWANG- BAI Dominico SON, SUNG-SUB Thomas NO, IN-SOO John The Communion Apostle SHIN, NAM-KON Mattaios KANG, WOO-JO Perter HAN, YOUNG-SUB Perter YOUN, HAE-BONG Thomas More LEE, The CHARIS National Services of Communion are being set up all over the world. We publish here those that SEON-HO Joseph KIM, KI-SEO John The Baptist PARK, HA- have been communicated to us. Some of these CNSC are transitional services. We will continue to publish in YOUNG Monika JUNG, HYUN-JA Julliana DOO, KYUNG-SOOK the next magazine the CNSC of your different countries of which we will be aware. Lucia CHOI, HYANG-SOOK Mathilda KIM, SUNG-JIN Peter KIM, MYUNG-KYU Thomas Aquinas LEE, HYUN-JA Bona YEOM, Br.SANG-HYUN James SHIN, BONG-GUEN Titus CHOI

CNSC NEW ZEALAND Diana Ingle (Coordinator),Deidre Broome, Rainer Hensel, Bill Kornman, Viane Makalio, Helen Smithson, Hayden Graham, John Rea SM, Rick Loughnan VG, Owen Kowalewski, Shona Williams, Allan Gierran, Allan Sadsad, Vipin Varghese, Mark Challies, Willie Schryvers, Silvana Abela, CNSC CROATIA Jemma Brunton, Anne and Andy Lovell, Josie Olsen, Elizabeth Mckay, Deidre Broome, Helen Lordan Ljubenkov (Coordinator), Marko Blagović, Damir Zukan, Niko Rončević, p. Sebastian Šujević, Smithson, Gloria Stafford, Rainer Hensel, Maureen Thow, Greg Wansink, Kathy Mayo Petar Jurčević Absent on the photo: Matija Ricov CNSC BAHRAIN Frederick D’Souza (Coordinator), Victoria D’Costa, Jacintha Lobo, Joseph Ribeiro, Dennis Andrade, Sabu Joseph, Jomon Joseph, Agnel Mascarenhas, Thomas George, Dickson Elenjikkal, Renish Paul, Prasanna Fernando

CNSC SLOVENIA

CNSC MEXICO Darja Justinek (Coordinator), Miran Candellari, Marjetka Babič , Matej Križanič , Sanja Obaha Brodnjak, Lidija Sušnik , Andrej Justinek . Leon Reyes (Coordinator), P. Loui Alfonso Martinez Gallo, Rodolfo Dario Galvan Morales, Marcela Paredes Serrano, Lina Gonzalez, Victor Tomas Ramirez Gonzalez, Luis Fernando Martinez Rivera CNSC LEBANON Archbishop G Bacouni (Coordinator), P. Joseph Karam, Brigitte Issa, P. Jean-Marie Chami, Gabriel Sassi, P. Michel Sakr, Georges Malek, P. Roger Karam, Ghada Boutros / Christian Boutros, Charbel Abi Chacra, Samar Andari, Zeina Bachaalani, P. Elias Chatawi, Nigol Salkhanian, Georges Lebbos, Marie Therese Barbara, Ziad Said, Georges Kairouz, Tony Achkar, Joy Naim, Danielle Younan, Jean Barbara

CNSC GERMANY CNSC WALES Fr. Josef Fleddermann (Coordinator), Werner Nolte, Benedikt Brunnquell, Sabine Ditzinger, Marie- Stephen Halsall (Coordinator), Madeleine Walters, Sheila Smith, Rev.Robert Coyne, Jossy Luise Winter, deacon Christof Hemberger and Karl Fischer Mathew, Brunhild Tynan

26 CHARIS Magazine no. 4 - June 2020 Magazine CHARIS no. 4 - June 2020 27 Veronica O’Brien (1905 – 1998) and her role in the ’s welcome of the Charismatic Renewal God First Bishop for the Archdiocese Louise-Mary O’Brien was born in Midleton, County Cork, in the of Mechelen-, met south of Ireland, on August 16, 1905. She was the eleventh of Veronica. This first meeting thirteen children. took place in Paris in 1947. Her father was a surgeon and her mother, a very stylish A second meeting in Lourdes lady, was very committed to the Christian upbringing of on 15 August 1948 was her children. From an early age, Veronica wanted to be decisive. Both Cardinal able to evangelize full-time. She chose celibacy, she lived Suenens and Veronica had a in chastity, poverty and obedience. Since the beginning of strong experience of “life in the Second World War and for more than 20 years she was very involved in the Legion of Mary. Then she was fully in the the Spirit.” Here’s what the The family of Dr. Brien- Kathleen Leavy. service of Cardinal Suenens for the Second Vatican Council Cardinal writes: Veronica, 11th of 13 children, is on her dad’s and, subsequently, she played an important role for the lap. … During one of our Charismatic Renewal, which the following article develops. conversations, Veronica Veronica O’Brien received in audience by Pope Paul VI on the sidelines told me that she loved St. of the Congress of Renewal held in Grottaferrata (near Rome) in 1973. Paul with a very special love and that she lived in a kind In the early days of the decisive role in the reception the grace of the Renewal that Colossians: I may be absent Towards spiritual of unique and continuous Renewal, the leaders of the of the Charismatic Renewal followed, Veronica had made in body, but in spirit I am spiritual communion with communion Charismatic Communities the decision to live full- there among you, delighted by Rome. him. One evening, while she Cardinal Suenens continues: knew Veronica O’Brien time an apostolate oriented to find you all in harmony was praying in the grotto, … Our conversations quite well. Yet only those towards evangelization. She and to see how firm your Mary - the Church - the her fear that she might be in Lourdes opened new close to Cardinal Suenens lived this apostolate in the faith in Christ is.ʺ Holy Spirit deluding herself led her to perspectives for me, and witnessed Veronica’s role Legion of Mary, which she One day this familiarity beg him for some sign to determined the direction of with him and from there, the Pope Francis has repeatedly founded in France and in with St Paul, this mysterious my pastoral ministry and of confirm this inner presence. influence she exerted during referred to Cardinal Suenens other countries in Europe. spiritual telepathy, inspired my future literary efforts. On the first twenty years of the and Veronica O’Brien in the There she discovered the It was pouring rain. With her to ask him a precise a personal level, those days Charismatic Renewal. context of the “Documents depth of Father Louis- some difficulty, Veronica and practical question. In were extremely significant for me. On the last day – or, to be In the second book of of Mechelen”. What is Marie Grignon de Montfort’s opened her Bible at random, prayer, she told him that she striking in Cardinal Suenens’ “True Devotion to Mary”. needed the visible, constant more precise, during the last his “Memoirs”,, Cardinal protecting it beneath the night – which I spent in my writings about Veronica Veronica had an infinite and concrete assistance Suenens reveals his close folds of her cape, and, hotel room in Lourdes, the Lord trust in the Holy Virgin who of a bishop who could collaboration - for nearly half O’Brien’s life is how she was under the pelting raindrops, poured out his grace on me, in a century - with Veronica, of already living the graces of was the “secret” of the read a few verses from the help her, here on earth, to a way that marked my life for Irish origin. Veronica was the Charismatic Renewal fruits overflowing with her Letter to the Colossians – transmit the graces that ever. What I experienced was very close to Pope Paul VI before it was talked about as apostolate. Col 2:5. With deep emotion she felt she was receiving an outpouring of the Spirit, a and Cardinal Benelli and, it is today. It was in the context of the and intense gratitude, she for the Church. She asked St ʺbaptism in the Spiritʺ. thanks to their confidence, Indeed, 50 years before the Legion of Mary that Cardinal received the words that Paul to help her to meet ʺa In those days, these were not familiar terms. she played a discreet but Second Vatican Council and Suenens, then Auxiliary St Paul had written to the bishop who could write.

28 CHARIS Magazine no. 4 -June 2020 Magazine CHARIS no. 4 - June 2020 29 After this meeting in Lourdes, A great concern for in order to introduce and train The sheep, left without a Veronica wrote this to Bishop evangelization their members to direct religious shepherd, were being guided Suenens: apostolate through personal by self-styled leaders; there To understand Veronica’s contact. … was an urgent need for direct … I discover in my soul an apostolate and its influence in extraordinary union with you, a and trusting communication France during the Second World It was in this context that deep affinity and understanding, between Rome – the centre War, here is what Canon Guyot, Veronica became close to as through in some way I had of the Church – and Catholic then spiritual director of the Cardinal Montini, the future Pope been made for you. It is terribly leaders of the Renewal. Legion of Mary, wrote: … There Paul VI. daring to be thinking and writing is one particularly interesting such thoughts, but I am doing it aspect to this apostolic work The Charismatic Renewal Pentecost 1975 in Rome very naturally. Is this an illusion? which she carried out in almost I don’t think so, because at the sixty French dioceses: the In the early days of the Cardinal Suenens continues: The expanded core of the ICCRS Office hosted by Pope John Paul II. same time, I am overflowing influence it has had on so many Charismatic Renewal, Veronica … At that time, plans were with insights about Our Blessed priests. Several have told me was sent to the United States being made for another Lady and about what she will that since their to the international congress of do, in you and through you, if by Cardinal Suenens. Here’s priesthood, they have received his reaction: ... We must say these leaders. Geographically, you humbly and meekly receive two special graces: the first Paul. All ecumenical paths ambiguity, making it immune from the hands of her poor little ‘yes’ to the grace of Pentecost, the most appropriate venue was being introduced to the lead there.” to the temptation – which servant what she is putting into and ‘no’ to . for such a meeting would have Legion of Mary and, through recurs intermittently through them. And she will put so, so, We must free the immensely been Puerto Rico. Veronica She added these surprising the Legion, to the Treatise on the ages – to gather Christians so much. … precious pearl from its shell; managed to convince them words: “I see in my mind that True Devotion; the second was together, beyond their own meeting this Irish woman. Miss we must believe, with a living to meet at the gates of Rome one day Cardinal Suenens In these excerpts we discover Churches, into a kind of super O’Brien did not seek this kind of and daring faith, that the Holy instead. three important elements of will welcome the pilgrims of seemingly paradoxical influence; Spirit is always active in his Church of the Holy Spirit. Veronica’s life: her union with the the Charismatic Renewal to Providence used her. … Virgin Mary, her openness to the Church, giving miracles and Veronica was invited to give Rome, and will celebrate the In friendly conversations, Holy Spirit and her communion As for Veronica’s commitment in charisms; We must be ready a talk to an ecumenical Eucharist in St Peter’s Basilica, with the Church. the ‘60s, the Cardinal sums them to receive its surprises. gathering of pastors. This on the occasion of Pentecost.” she pointed out to the main up as follows: was most unusual. St Paul’s Catholic leaders some of the Cardinal Suenens developed She immediately understood admonitions to women are This , which she important points that needed this in his teachings and in all … Veronica’s entire life has been a that the Renewal was not a still held in great respect in later repeated to me, seemed to be clarified. his writings; he repeated them sorrowful and heart-rending call “movement”- a label that these circles, and women are to me so contrary to Roman to reform seminaries, novitiates on every journey and in all the is used far too freely in our expected to remain silent at custom that I considered it It is from this reflection that and active religious communities, languages he spoke. circles. She realized that it assemblies. implausible, even impossible. Cardinal Suenens invited a was rather a powerful grace Nevertheless, it was to come group of American leaders for our time – a breath, a Veronica told the gathering of true one day, as we shall to his residence in Brussels movement of the Holy Spirit, her hopes for an ecumenical see, taking its place among where they stayed for several a grace of Pentecost, which future for the Renewal. At the surprises of the “Hidden years. could be captured by all the end of the talk, she knelt Hand of God”. The memorable the baptised and by every Pentecost congress was the and asked the assembly to It was from this team that “movement”, whatever its result of Veronica’s initiative pray over her. Finally, she ICCRO was created, as well name. All her hopes sprang and mediation, in close improvised a prayer of her asa communion review from this awareness. collaboration with Bishop own, and addressed a bold forthe Renewal. Later, under Benelli. It ended on a positive invitation to those assembled, Veronica’s influence, ICCRO This grace, however, had to be note. received in full harmony with who were deeply moved. was transferred from Brussels The group of leaders of the Renewal in Belgium with some leaders the doctrine of the Catholic Through countless open and to Rome,from where this of the Renewal in the United States, resident in Belgium at the Church. On this level, some “Do not be afraid,” she told fruitful encounters, Veronica service continued on its way.◊ invitation of Cardinal Suenens following the meeting of Pentecost ambiguities remained to be them, “to go to Rome and endeavoured to free the Monday 1975 in Rome. sorted out and dispelled. pray on the tombs of Peter and Catholic Renewal from all Roger Matthys

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