www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life The Christian East & West Charismatic (Renewal) Movement and Eastern Catholic Churches

Not nit-picking at all - I think that that is a fair distinction. I would agree too, since my reasons for entering the East were not to "get away" from things in the West.

As for the other spiritualities, it was not so much my "experience" as what I saw posted all over campus - activities involving Rosaries, Novenas, Exposition, Franciscan and Carmelite spirituality, the works of mercy, etc etc. All of these things indicated to me a shift to more traditional Latin forms of spirituality.

Sunday Mass at FUS will always be a charismatic Sunday Mass, unless it is the early one, I believe. I drove through recently and attended a weekly Mass and it was great to see so many young adults worshipping. It was not "charismatic" in the way that label implies, but it was "youthful" and "respectful". the lyrics were also directed at God, not at the congregation where we sing about ourselves, as so often is the case with the omnipresent Blather...I mean "Gather Hymnals". :p

Ah, but then there's "Gather Comprehensive" which is even more of the songs you will love to hate. I recently saw something called "Breaking Bread" which might possibly be even worse.

Liturgically the school I attended is not all that Catholic, because it still has not even fully implemented Redemptionis Sacramentum or the older document Ecclesiae de Mysterio. Nevertheless you are correct, because as far as theology is concerned it is more orthodox than most Catholic institutions in the United States, as long as you avoid the professors influenced by the charismatic movement.

That being said, my own theology had been shifting toward the East for several years before I started studying there, and so my change of ritual Churches was not based solely upon the deficient liturgies on campus, but I do admit that the poor nature of liturgy on campus sped up my shift to the Byzantine Church. So again, I am grateful to the charismatic movement on campus for pushing me toward the Byzantine Church, because after attending the divine liturgy for two years at a Byzantine parish, I came to realize that I was not only theologically Eastern, but am also liturgically Eastern.

FUS has -- unintentionally -- helped many students to become Byzantine Catholic, and on occasion even Eastern Orthodox.

I met many great people there, including Chelsea (Laka) and all the others from the Trinity East dorm, who all became a part of my journey to the East. I had many wonderful professors there as well, who encouraged me to investigate matters fully and embrace the Byzantine spiritual, liturgical, and doctrinal tradition. My experience at the school was a good one.

It is interesting to note that when I arrived at the school I was in many ways open to the charismatic movement, but that after attending there for two and a half years, I came away from the school opposed to it -- mainly on theological grounds. But then my theology is very different now than it was four years ago.

I stand corrected. What you say is true regarding the liturgy. Often my point of reference for Latin churches causes me to see Steubenville as almost "High Church"! Although I think by comparison with other liturgies in many parishes and other Catholic campuses, it is very Catholic.

The liturgical situation has improved greatly though from where it was some time back, as has the campus life. FUS was listed among the top 10 party schools by Playboy magazine until Father Michael Scanlan took over as president in the early 70's and instituted the "household" system as an anecdote to the party culture, building instead smaller "fellowships" that became for many a spiritual family and support network. The extra-liturgical worship of these household was decidedly charismatic, so one could say that much of the conversion and Catholic revival of the campus was due to its embrace of the CCR movement.

Campus life has matured a great deal since then, although the charismatic element still remains strong, especially through the summer youth conferences which draw in many students.

God bless,

Gordo

Apoth,

Things are not the same without you!

BTW, I envy your vast collection of out of print Byzantine Books!
Among those, the hardback version of the Philokalia volumes 1-4 and Byzantine Daily Worship.

I know about the school's history, and I am not opposed to the existence of the "Households," because I think that they can be quite beneficial, especially for young men. I am mainly concerned about the poor state of the liturgy (with its heavy charismatic influence), and the theology underlying the charismatic movement, which in my opinion has more in common with the 19th and 20th century "holiness" movements in Protestantism than it does with Catholic theology.

My post about the history was less for you and more for Laka's benefit. He mentioned the "households" and their connection to CCR...

Gordo

What is unfortunate is that I know people who have gone to FUS and have totally abandoned their cradle Eastern heritage and are now full-blown charasmatics and in many cases, anti-East. This includes priest kids, deacon kids, and a sibling of mine who is currently at FUS and belongs to one of those households.

Its a shame. Some even argue that the East isn't as valid, or not Catholic enough.

I am tempted at times to enroll, become Orthodox, and start an Eastern Orthodox chapliancy/brotherhood just to stirr up the place. But I will spare my sibling the emberresment.

-uc

uc,

That is a shame. THat is one of the reasons why I believe that Transfiguration College offers much hope.

Your idea about an Orthodox chaplaincy has been churning around in my mind for a year or two, except that it would be Eastern Catholic. I think there is a need to continue the ministry of Monk/Brother Andreas (Eternal memory!) who was a frequent visitor to the campus - and was also the lector at my wedding. What if instead an 'Orientale Lumen Center" was established near the campus for the purpose of supporting Eastern Catholics that attend, educating Latin Catholics on the East and evangelizing in the area.

Just a thought... :-)

Gordo

Monk/Brother Andreas May his memory be eternal+

What a sweet heart. He never gave up on the kids until he got so sick he could do it anymore. That is where Deacon Stan and I were introduced to the Melkite Church at. The small chapel there at the house. One felt like they had stepped back 1,000 years in time when you were there for Divine Liturgy. Msgr. Michael Campbell(our youngest son's Godfather) is bi-ritual, actually Ruthenian but did the Melkite Liturgy and for them. He still fills in in Akron and Canton, well maybe not now that he is in Marietta - too far to go.

That was one of the projects everyone took on, to make sure the kids he took in from the courts had enough of what they needed. He loved working with youth from all walks of life.

Pani Rose,

And I was one of the fruits of his apostolic labors as well. His simple, humorous and challenging two pack a day manner made me think more deeply of the church to which I had returned. I loved that chapel as well, with the icon from New Skete!

And he gave me my first chotki...

He and Erla were such good friends. I have no doubt they are enjoying each others' company on the shores of the New Jerusalem! (With the Little Flower, no doubt! A favorite of Erlas...)

May his memory be eternal!

Gordo

PS: Wouldn't it be a great tribute to him to start some type of center dedicated to continuing his apostolate at FUS?

if that's the case, I am quite annoyed. who is responsible for this travesty, this alienation of EC youth from their heritage? if what you say is on the ball, then FUS needs to look into this and work towards preserving these students' Rites. I thought that Rome was more or less bending over backwards to ensure that the very situation that you describe does not occur. perhaps I am thinking too much, and am lapsing into wishful thinking.
Much Love,
Jonn

I think the causes of this probably exist on multiple levels. FUS is a unique environment, and for many kids they come to an awareness of their faith in Jesus Christ on a personal level. It is natural that they associate it with the worship and experience on campus. The question could just as easily be asked about our parishes - what is going on within our parishes that would make kids at Steubenville not recognize the same Gospel at their home parish or in their homes?

As to the pastoral care issue, I think that is a topic worthy of broaching with those responsible for pastoral care on campus. Perhaps it is a question for Anthony Dragani as well, since he graduated from there not too long ago, and still lives nearby. He may have a good sense about how this could be handled. As an alumnus (and current grad student) I could also broach the topic. Maybe there is a need to offer catechesis on the Eastern churches to this campus?

God bless,

Gordo

Gordo I will say an big AMEN to that!
There is great need for catechesis about the Eastern Church to everyone. I try to provide it here in our parish and certainly am diligent about it in our elementary school.
Stephanos I