Formation in the life of the Holy Spirit
A New Pentecost?
The first volume places us firmly at the heart of the mystery of the Church as
animated by the Holy Spirit. The Church is at the same time both institutional
and charismatic. She must at all times be able to attune herself to new
manifestations of the Holy Spirit, and discern their authenticity, while
remaining faithful to her age-old mission, as recalled at the Second Vatican
Council.
It is in this spirit that Cardinal Suenens stresses the importance of the
Renewal introduced by Vatican II in the liturgical and social spheres, as well
as the significance of the ecumenical awakening.
Volume I, entitled A New Pentecost?, examines the Charismatic Renewal in the
Church, regarded as a concrete example of the new Pentecost for which John XXIII
had prayed.
The originality of Cardinal Suenens’ contribution is undoubtedly the fact that
he was able to combine a Marian spirituality with this new openness to the
workings of the Holy Spirit which characterized the Charismatic Renewal, also
justly known as “Renewal in the Spirit”. As a pastor, he always stressed the
need for this movement to remain in a vital union with the Church, “guarantor of
humanity, humility, equilibrium and wisdom.”
Renewal and Ecumenism
The second volume has two parts. The first gives a more in-depth analysis of the
theology of the “Charismatic Renewal” and the second proposes specific pastoral
directives for the Renewal and for ecumenism in the Church.
The “Charismatic Renewal” which developed in these regions after Vatican II may
be situated within the charismatic life of the Church from its very beginnings,
founded upon Christ and animated by the Holy Spirit. It is therefore useful to
discern this renewal in light of the mystery of the Church and of Christian life
in the midst of a world that is perpetually evolving.