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One such is the state of The Church in France.
Celine, a student of journalism at the University of Paris, declines an invitation to have dinner and drinks with some friends. As she explains with a somewhat mischievous smile, tonight she has a "rendezvous with Jesus." Every Wednesday after her classes, she goes to a little church near the Seine to meet with other members of a charismatic prayer group. "I've been going for three years now, to give thanks to God for the life He has given me and for His presence, which is with me every day," she says.
As night falls on the city, those who pass by Celine's church seem quite surprised to hear the buoyant melodies, the beat of tom-toms, and clapping, as music rises from their neighborhood church. About 50 young people sing psalms, share spontaneous prayers, or read from random Scripture passages. Even their physical posture is a bit unusual — palms raised toward the sky, arms constantly waving. One might think a band of evangelical Christians had somehow taken over the parish hall. Or is it just a little party of overzealous eccentrics?
In fact, it's neither. Small groups like this are part of the charismatic renewal that is today one of the strongest forces for the Catholic Church in France
As night falls on the city, those who pass by Celine's church seem quite surprised to hear the buoyant melodies, the beat of tom-toms, and clapping, as music rises from their neighborhood church. About 50 young people sing psalms, share spontaneous prayers, or read from random Scripture passages. Even their physical posture is a bit unusual — palms raised toward the sky, arms constantly waving. One might think a band of evangelical Christians had somehow taken over the parish hall. Or is it just a little party of overzealous eccentrics?
In fact, it's neither. Small groups like this are part of the charismatic renewal that is today one of the strongest forces for the Catholic Church in France
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