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Document Details :

Title: Embodiment & Spirituality
Subtitle: The Role of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement inPromoting Spirituality through Embodiment
Author(s): ALVA, Reginald
Journal: Studies in Spirituality
Volume: 28    Date: 2018   
Pages: 255-270
DOI: 10.2143/SIS.28.0.3285334

Abstract :
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement (CCRM), which started in 1967, spread rapidly from its country of origin, the U.S.A. to over 235 countries within a short span of 30 years. The CCRM attracts people as it offers them a forum for lively worship, thereby encouraging the use of body (senses) and emotions to experience the power of God. The use of bodily senses and emotions during prayer sessions helps people to experience God’s love and healing in every realm of their life. In this paper, we shall examine why Pentecostal/Charismatic Christianity could grow and spread rapidly in spite of growing secularization in the global context. We shall also examine the prominent features of the spirituality and practices of the CCRM, which encourages contemporary people to seek genuine experience of God through the embodiment of their religious acts. We shall focus on the use of the ritual of healing, the worship, gestures, images and language employed by the Charismatics to attract people to their prayer groups and communities.

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