Grace Thompson
The Catholic Charismatic Movement, also known as Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR), began in 1967 at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The movement is centred around the concept of baptism in the Holy Spirit, referring to an individual's personal experience of God's power. The origins of the movement can be traced back to an Episcopalian prayer meeting in February 1967, where two Catholics, William Storey and Ralph Keifer, were baptised in the Holy Spirit. The movement quickly spread to other universities, including the University of Notre Dame, and gained traction through the formation of prayer groups and covenant communities. By the 1970s, the movement had experienced explosive growth, with thousands of participants attending annual conferences and the establishment of charismatic communities across the United States. The Catholic Charismatic Movement has since spread worldwide, with adherents from various Christian denominations, and has been recognised and acknowledged by several popes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 17–19 February 1967, "Duquesne weekend" |
| Location | Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA |
| Event | Two Catholics were baptised in the Holy Spirit |
| Universities | University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN; Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI |
| Organisations | Catholic Charismatic Renewal Service Committee (CCRSC, later NSC); Notre Dame Conferences |
| Key figures | Fr O'Connor; Jim Byrne; Peter Edwards; Joel Kibler; Kevin Ranaghan; Ralph Martin; Patti Gallagher Mansfield |
| Books | The Pentecostal Movement in the Catholic Church; Catholic Pentecostals; As By a New Pentecost |
| Pope acknowledgement | Pope Paul VI (1971, 1975); Pope John Paul II; Benedict XVI; Pope Francis |
| Number of adherents | 9 million Catholic charismatics in the US; 150 million worldwide |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The Duquesne weekend in February 1967
The Catholic Charismatic Movement, also known as the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, is believed to have begun in 1967 at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The movement's origins can be traced back to a specific event known as the Duquesne Weekend, which took place from February 17 to 19, 1967.
The Duquesne Weekend was a retreat for students from Duquesne University, which was founded by the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, a Catholic religious community. The retreat was held at The Ark and the Dove retreat center in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, just outside Pittsburgh. In the lead-up to the retreat, two Duquesne University faculty members, graduate student Ralph A. Keifer and history professor William G. Storey, had begun using the Pentecost sequence "Veni Sancte Spiritus" in their prayers, seeking a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit. They had also attended a Cursillo movement meeting and read books such as "The Cross and the Switchblade" and "They Speak With Other Tongues," which describe the experience of baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Inspired by these experiences, Keifer and Storey decided to centre the upcoming student retreat on the Holy Spirit. On February 17, about 25 students left for the retreat house, where they prayed for and anticipated a powerful move of the Holy Spirit in their lives. During the Duquesne Weekend, Keifer and Storey shared their recent experience of being baptised in the Holy Spirit at an Episcopalian charismatic prayer group meeting in February 1967.
Following the Duquesne Weekend, Keifer laid hands on other Duquesne professors, and they too experienced the power of the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues. The movement quickly spread beyond Duquesne University, as Keifer sent news of these events to the University of Notre Dame, where similar experiences occurred. The Catholic Charismatic Renewal had begun, and it would soon spread to other universities and communities, impacting millions of Catholics worldwide.
Jesus' Sacrifice: The Catholic View of Forgiveness
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The role of Fr O'Connor
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) movement is believed to have begun in 1967 at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Two Catholics, graduate student Ralph Keifer and history professor William Storey, attended an Episcopalian prayer meeting and were baptised in the Holy Spirit. This soon spread to other universities, including the University of Notre Dame, where Fr O'Connor played a key role.
Fr Edward O'Connor, a Holy Cross priest and professor in the Theology Department at the University of Notre Dame, was a central figure in the CCR movement. He was a member of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Service Committee from its inception until the end of 1973. O'Connor was a guide for students and members of the Notre Dame-based True House community and a public defender of the movement.
O'Connor's 1971 book, 'The Pentecostal Movement in the Catholic Church', was one of the first attempts to explain and contextualise the CCR movement. In it, he argued that the CCR was consistent with Catholic theology and rooted in the tradition of the Church. This was significant in persuading American bishops to support the movement and played a crucial role in the legitimisation of CCR as a Catholic movement.
In addition to his writing, O'Connor was also actively involved in spreading the CCR message and practices. He recounts in his writings how two professors from Duquesne University visited the University of Notre Dame after their spiritual experiences and prayed over some of the students there. This, according to O'Connor, marked the beginning of the CCR at Notre Dame, from where it spread across the country and later, the world.
Baptism Gowns: Are They Only for Baby Girls?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The movement's spread to Notre Dame
The Catholic Charismatic Movement, also known as the Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR), began in 1967 at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It started when two Catholics, graduate student Ralph Keifer and history professor William Storey, were baptised in the Holy Spirit at an Episcopalian prayer meeting.
The movement quickly spread to other universities, including the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. Academics and students at Notre Dame, many of whom were teachers or graduates between 1965 and 1969, approached different viewpoints with an open-mindedness that prevented the development of secessionist groups, which happened in other churches.
The University of Notre Dame became a centre of the expanding renewal and was fundamental for the legitimisation of the CCR. It was the site of the first organisational forms of the movement, such as the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Service Committee (CCRSC, later NSC) and other attempts at outreach, including the annual Notre Dame conferences.
The number of participants at these conferences grew exponentially, reflecting the explosive growth of the charismatic communities in Notre Dame, South Bend, and Ann Arbor in the 1970s. In 1967, about 90 people attended the conference, while in 1973, the number had risen to around 22,000.
The University of Notre Dame played a crucial role in promoting the CCR worldwide. The Notre Dame-centred True House community, led by Fr O'Connor, a Holy Cross priest and professor in the Theology Department, was influential in guiding students and members. O'Connor also effectively communicated with American bishops, emphasising the consistency of the CCR with Catholic theology and its roots in the tradition of the Church.
Exploring Byzantine Catholicism: Your Path to Conversion
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$5.99 $9.99
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal Service Committee
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) is a movement within the Catholic Church that is part of the wider Charismatic movement that spread across various Christian denominations. The origins of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal can be traced back to Duquesne University in 1967 when two Catholics, graduate student Ralph Keifer and history professor William Storey, were baptised in the Holy Spirit.
The primary mission of the National Service Committee of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the U.S., now known as Pentecost Today USA, is to promote baptism in the Holy Spirit throughout the Church, foster unity in the Body of Christ, and serve the poor. The CCR has been described as a "current of grace," emphasising a personal relationship with Jesus, deep emotional experiences, and the expression of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services played a significant role in guiding the expansion of the CCR. As of 2013, the movement had over 160 million members worldwide. On June 6, 2019, CHARIS ("Catholic Charismatic Renewal International Service") was inaugurated, superseding the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services and the Catholic Fraternity. CHARIS aims to promote unity among all Christians and strengthen communion within the diverse expressions of Catholic Charismatic Renewal.
Luther's Legacy: Eastern Rite Catholics
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Pope Paul VI's acknowledgement in 1975
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) is a movement within the Catholic Church that is part of the wider Charismatic movement that spread across various Christian denominations. The origins of the CCR can be traced back to Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1967, when two Catholics, graduate student Ralph Keifer and history professor William Storey, were baptised in the Holy Spirit. The movement soon spread to other universities, including the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, and Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan, with the first organisational forms of the movement being established, such as the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Service Committee (CCRSC, later NSC).
In the 1970s, the CCR communities in Notre Dame, South Bend, and Ann Arbor significantly increased and consolidated their leadership positions. The number of participants at the annual Notre Dame conferences grew exponentially, from about 90 people in 1967 to around 22,000 in 1973. During this time, the movement formed prayer groups and covenant communities, with members practising a stronger commitment to spiritual ideals and creating documents or covenants that set out rules for life.
In 1975, Pope Paul VI officially acknowledged and welcomed the Catholic Charismatic Renewal movement. This acknowledgement was considered a significant event in the history of the CCR, as it marked the first time the movement received formal recognition from the Vatican. Pope Paul VI described the movement as a "great opportunity for the Church", adding that it brought vitality and joy to the Church while also mentioning the need for discernment of spirits.
The CCR has been described as a current of grace, emphasising a personal relationship with Jesus, deep emotional experiences, and the expression of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These gifts include faith, expression of knowledge, wisdom, miracles, speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, prophecy, discernment of spirits, and healing. The movement aims to educate believers in the totality of the declaration of the gospels, encouraging a one-to-one relationship with Jesus and a personal experience of the power of God.
Catholics in the SS: How Many?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Charismatic Movement began in 1967 at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
In February 1967, Duquesne students Ralph Keifer and William Storey attended an Episcopalian prayer meeting and were baptised in the Holy Spirit. Keifer then laid hands on other Duquesne professors, who also had an experience with the Spirit. This led to a larger gathering at The Ark and The Dove Retreat Center, where many students received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues.
Keifer sent news of the event to the University of Notre Dame, where a similar event later occurred. The movement soon spread to other universities, including Michigan State University and the University of Michigan.
The Catholic Church's initial reaction to the movement was mixed. While some members of the Catholic hierarchy were supportive, others were reticent. Pope Paul VI officially welcomed Catholic charismatics in 1975, and as of 2025, four popes have acknowledged the movement.
