Cantalamessa, the papal preacher of Pope John Paul II's household, presents a collection of teachings on the Catholic Charismatic renewal, known in Italy, as "the renewal of the Spirit." He begins with an explanation of the term "sober intoxication of the Spirit" used by the Fathers of the Church: "an enthusiasm based on the cross and nourished by the cross." Within the charismatic renewal movement, this enthusiasm, is demonstrated through "spontaneous and creative prayer, songs, tongues, and the joy of being brothers and sisters and of being nourished by the pure milk of the word of God...and a firm commitment to building the kingdom of God within us and in the Church."

Cantalamessa describes virtues and actions that mark the renewal of the spirit today, and shows their roots in scripture. He addresses humility, which always involves something negative, as "self-denial, a renunciation of anything that is wrong in our intentions and our actions, an abasement of ourselves before we move in the direction of others," linking the experience to Jesus's "descending." He also explains the charisms, spiritual baptism, and the healing power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is healer of both mind and body, he writes, including the mental illnesses of unbelief, idolatry, and superstition and heart diseases such as lack of will, the will to power, and the spirit of slavery.

This work is rich in details of the charismatic renewal and its role in establishing the Kingdom.

When Catholics realize that since 1980 the preacher to the papal household, so far, of two great popes has been a Catholic charismatic, they must take a second look at the Charismatic Renewal which has for too long been viewed by most Catholics as something odd that the Church merely tolerates out of kindness. What Fr. Canatalamessa says in this book is that the Charismatic Renewal is for every Catholic--it is a renewal and unleashing of the graces received in sacramental Baptism and Confirmation and in the other sacraments. In nine chapters, he explains clearly and simply but with the precision and balance of the first-rate theologian that he is how the renewal relates to the sacramental system of the Church and to Christian life. He even critiques some of the excesses of some charismatics who become puffed up over their charisms (as the Corinthians did in the first century!) and those individuals who want to receive charisms but still remain in objective situations of mortal sin, especially in the area of sexual morality (again reminders of the Corinthians to whom Paul wrote in the first century). These critiques show the wisdom, prudence, and balance of Fr. Cantalamessa. Yet, none of the warts in any way suppresses the enthusiasm of Fr. Cantalamessa for the action of the Holy Spirit in the renewal and its promise for the Church. His book is prophetic and calls all Catholics to open up to the abundant, joyful, and full life of the Spirit. The title of the book is taken from a Latin quote from St. Ambrose that is translated: "Let us drink the sober intoxication of the Spirit with joy!" Fr. Cantalamessa persuasively and soberly invites each of us to this new, joyful, and uplifting intoxication. If a non-charismatic Catholic wants an introduction to the Charismatic Renewal, I can think of none better or more authoritative for these times. We are fortunate to have these collected talks translated into English. You can find a fuller review at the above blog link (Oct. 24, 2005, post).