Photo caption: Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., brings warmth and pastoral care to attendees of the third annual Charismatic Renewal Congress for Spanish-speaking groups around the Diocese. Staff photo
By Angelica Chicaiza, Correspondent, and staff reports
About 350 Spanish-speaking Catholics gathered in the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Trenton on Aug. 8, to share in worship and wisdom at the third annual Charismatic Renewal Congress.
This year’s event, sponsored by the Diocesan Hispanic Charismatic Renewal, brought together prayer groups from across the Diocese and centered on the theme “A Living Word, a Sword That Pierces, and a Holy Spirit Who Restores.” Throughout the day, participants prayed together, joined in music and fellowship, listened to presentations and heard remarks from Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.
PHOTO GALLERY: Charismatic Renewal Conference 1
PHOTO GALLERY: Charismatic Renewal Conference 2
In his keynote presentation, Father Jaime Alberto Pérez Villegas of Immaculate Conception Parish, Salamina, in Caldas, Colombia, explored the relationship between silence and sound while steering the faithful toward contemplation as the aim of all devotion to God.
“A true charismatic person does not move only in noise. The true charismatic is the one who ultimately arrives at loving contemplation of the Lord,” Father Pérez said. “We have to learn to be contemplative … We have to learn that on the first day of the week, the day of the Resurrection, death was defeated in silence.”
Father Pérez also pointed to five fruits the Renewal offers disciples: “Encounter with the Lord, a decisive openness to the Holy Spirit, the exercise of gifts and charisms, evangelization, and holiness of life.”
Moved by the Spirit
Alfonso Rojas, coordinator of the prayer group in St. Joseph’s Parish in Trenton, works with other local coordinators to build the movement in the Diocese. “The Renewal is about bringing our communities together in faith and strengthening one another,” Rojas said. Ministry leaders also meet for an annual formation session.
Maria-Luisa Colindres, a Cathedral parishioner, described how attending charismatic retreats and heeding guidance from the Holy Spirit has changed her life. “The Holy Spirit always calls me. And when they mention Catholic Charismatic Renewal, well, I am always there,” she said.
Colindres added that she also learned through the Renewal “to come to Mass on Sundays” and “to sing at Mass too, because I like it. It is also a gift of the Holy Spirit.” She has participated in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal for more than 20 years in her home country of Guatemala and has joined the prayer group in Trenton.
Fidencio Huix, who attended with his wife and younger son, has participated in the congress for the last two years and was excited to return for a third time. He said “The Charismatic Renewal is what lifted me up when I was in the abyss. That is why I am here today, giving thanks to God for what he has done in my life.”
Huix said this year’s event reminded him of God’s call for all believers. “Unfortunately, as Catholics, we sometimes make that covenant with the Lord, but we may forget … when we experience a special moment with him, we cannot forget,” he said. “God has called us, and he has cared for us. That is what has touched me today.”
Toward the end of Bishop O’Connell’s visit, congregants gathered around him, pausing to take pictures, offer heartfelt expressions of love and admiration and receive his blessing. The congress concluded with Eucharistic adoration and a Holy Hour, giving participants time for prayer and reflection before the Blessed Sacrament.