The narrative of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal would be incomplete without highlighting the pivotal role played by Elena. In October 1973, Fr. Val Gaudet penned an article titled "A Woman and the Pope" in New Covenant, revealing Pope St. John XXIII's designation of Elena as "the apostle of the Holy Spirit." Fr. Gaudet believed that Elena's teachings influenced the famous prayer of Pope St. John XXIII: "Renew your wonders in this our day as by a New Pentecost."

Bl. Elena, whose life spanned from 1835 to 1914, founded the Oblate Sisters of the Holy Spirit in Lucca, Italy. In 1886, she became aware of her prophetic task: writing confidential letters to Pope Leo XIII between 1895 and 1903, urging a renewal of the Church through a return to the Holy Spirit. She emphasized the need for constant prayer, akin to Mary and the apostles in the Upper Room, anticipating the Spirit's arrival.

Bl. Elena's passionate words expressed her belief that Pentecost was an ongoing, permanent mystery, and the Holy Spirit was accessible to all who earnestly sought Him. Pope Leo XIII responded to her call by publishing Provida Matris Caritate in 1895, initiating an annual novena to the Holy Spirit. Despite the bishops' initially poor response, Pope Leo XIII, prompted by Bl. Elena's letters, reminded them of the novena obligation in the 1902 letter Ad Fovendum in Christiano Populo.

Bl. Elena, establishing "Permanent Cenacles" prayer groups, championed a return to the Holy Spirit. Initially encouraged by Don Bosco, she utilized her "pen of gold" to compose letters to the pope and crafted a Holy Spirit Chaplet, now a Pentecost Novena used by the Oblate Sisters of the Holy Spirit. In her ninth letter, dated October 15, 1900, she implored Pope Leo XIII to exhort all Catholics to pray for the new century under the sign of the Holy Spirit.

As a result of Bl. Elena's plea, Pope Leo XIII intoned the hymn Veni Creator Spiritus on January 1, 1901, marking the beginning of a global Holy Spirit revival. This significant event coincided with a revival in Topeka, Kansas, signaling the start of the Charismatic Renewal. Over sixty-six years later, the Veni Creator Spiritus was sung on the Duquesne Weekend, echoing the same Gregorian chant melody chosen by Pope Leo XXIII.

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The term "Charismatics" is derived from the Greek word "Charisma," signifying a gift of grace, an endowment involving divine grace (charis) bestowed by God. According to Robert H Culpepper, the Charismatic movement transcends denominational boundaries within Christianity, aiming to foster personal and church renewal while restoring spiritual power. This emphasis is placed on the exercise of spiritual gifts mentioned by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11.

In a narrower context, the term is specifically used for supernatural graces required by individual Christians to fulfill their particular tasks in advancing the spiritual well-being of their peers. These charismata were believed to be given to Apostles, prophets, teachers, and those entrusted with the governance of the Church. Pope John XXIII, in a prayer for the Second Ecumenical Council, highlighted the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding the Church and enriching the Council with divine gifts.

The origins and nature of the Charismatic Movement trace back to the unexpected interest in spiritual gifts, including glossolalia and physical healing, within historic and affluent mainline churches. While early Pentecostalism was initially associated with lower socio-economic classes, the desire for spiritual renewal led to increased attention to spiritual gifts. The movement gained national attention in the United States in 1960, spurred by the experiences of Dennis Bennett, an Episcopal rector.

The Charismatic renewal extended beyond Protestant Churches to the Roman Catholic Church and eventually reached Orthodox churches. Influential figures like Oral Roberts, David J du Plessis, and Demos Shakarian, along with the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International, played a role in laying the groundwork for the movement. The renewal, perceived as filling a vacuum in American religious life and a longing for New Testament Christianity, grew globally, particularly in the wake of Vatican II Council changes.

The Charismatic Movement, distinctively focusing on the person, work, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, transcends traditional church boundaries. It has reshaped the understanding of Christian faith, emphasizing elements such as prayer, the Word of God, witnessing, fellowship, and the manifestation of a wide range of spiritual gifts. The experience of "Baptism in the Holy Spirit," often accompanied by speaking in tongues, is a significant aspect of the Charismatic renewal. The movement holds Scriptures as a primary source of spirituality, evident in their interpretation during prayer meetings.

The Charismatic Movement in India 

In 1972, Minoo Engineer, a young Parsi civil engineer who had been studying at Fordham University and embraced Catholicism through his involvement with Charismatics, introduced the Catholic Charismatic renewal to India. Simultaneously, two Jesuit priests, Fr Fuster and Fr Bertie Phillips, who had been in the United States for studies and research, returned to India as Charismatics. These early leaders initiated prayer groups, with the first one commencing in Bombay, initially consisting of only four members. The movement expanded to Bandra, with encouragement from the Medical Mission Sisters of the Holy Family Hospital, and additional groups formed in Vile Parle, Juhu, and Byculla.

A prominent group emerged in Mahim at the Presentation Convent, led by Sr. Basil and Margare D’souza. Fr Fuster and Fr Philips initiated Life in the Spirit Seminars and prayer groups at St. Xavier’s College, leading to the movement's extension to Poona and Goa. Interdenominational prayer groups, such as the one in the Air Force Colony in Gauhati, Assam, marked the charismatic movement's presence. Delhi witnessed the movement's arrival, with prayer groups forming at St Thomas’s Parish and St Dominic’s Parish, eventually spreading across India.

The leading figure in the Indian Catholic charismatic scene is Mathew Naickomparambil, a Catholic Charismatic healing evangelist born in Kerala in 1947. He experienced baptism by the Spirit in the early 1970s, predating the awareness of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in India. Following his 1976 ordination as a priest, Naickomparambil received numerous spiritual gifts, initiating healing through his ministry in 1978 and experiencing frequent visions. In 1987, he transitioned to proclaiming the word of God, leading to daily proclamations at the Potta Evangelization Retreat near Cochin.

In 1990, the Vincentian order, led primarily by Naickomparambil, established the Divine Retreat Centre in Muringoor, near Chalakudy, hosting retreats in six languages. These retreats, occurring every week with an average attendance of 15,000 people and up to 150,000 during conventions, accommodate participants at the center. Over 300,000 non-Christians and millions of Christians have attended, with many embracing Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Fr Matthew Naickomparambil conducts good news and healing conventions in parishes across Kerala.

In 1974-75, 30 Catholic charismatic leaders convened in Bombay for the first National Charismatic Convention. During this gathering, they initiated the journal Charisindia, published the inaugural edition of the Praise the Lord hymnal, and appointed a service team for Bombay. The National Service Team, serving as the apex body of national leaders, undertakes discernment, prophetic ministry, and service to the movement.