One of the most striking phenomena of the Catholic Church in the 20th century has been the birth, growth and expansion of associations, movements, communities and groups of all kinds. This growth has intensified, not diminished in the second half of that century and at the beginning of the 21st century. The flowering of new forms of apostolic life and mission in the Church – the movements – has been described by many as one of the ‘signs of the times’.

Each movement is an expression of a charism, that is, a gift of the Holy Spirit that is communicative and gives rise to that ‘spiritual affinity among persons’ and to ‘that friendship in Christ which is found at their origin’.

Community for everyone
Although there are Bishops, Priests and Religious among the membership of the movements, the majority of the members are lay people, young and old alike.

While there are vocations from the laity within these movements to the diocesan and religious priesthood, there can also be priests ordained specifically for the particular movement.

The novelty and originality of these new associations is that they really do represent that organic and unified community of the baptised that is mentioned both in the New Testament and in the Second Vatican Council, Constitution on the Church, ‘Lumen Gentium’. They make ‘the presence of Christ felt through the communion lived by his disciples’ and this is the most effective witness and means of evangelisation for today’s secularised world.

CASE Presentation to DVSEW October 2004 Conference in Oscott College: Please click on the Word icon for Clare Ford's presentation on The New Movements and Evangelisation.



What next?
More detailed information about some of the movements active and present in the Catholic Church in England and Wales was made available recently in an excellent series of CTS pamphlets. An introduction to each booklet in the series is available on the cts-online website.

And for links to the movements:

Charismatic Renewal in England & Wales
This website gives information on all the new movements and communities in England & Wales and their events. There is also information on Scotland and Ireland and an extensive LINKS section for news and information about the charisamtic renewal internationally.

Faith Movement

Focolare
Founded by Chiara Lubich in Italy, now present in many countries in the world, including the United Kingdom. Focolare has a special charism for ecumenism and solidarity.


L’Arche
L'Arche is an international federation of communities for people with learning disabilities and assistants. There are eight communities in England, Scotland and Wales. They provide real homes in ordinary houses to well over 100 people with learning disabilities and a similar number of assistants. L'Arche was founded by Jean Vanier.

Opus Dei

Sant’Egidio
Dedicated to evangelisation and charity in more than 60 countries

Youth 2000 A movement of young people for young people with a Eucharistic and Marian spirituality. Organises retreats in dioceses and an anuual international prayer festival at Walsingham each August.

Vocations Group for Men and Women A discernment support group for young adults which meets monthly in central London.

Community of Our Lady of Walsingham
The Community of Our Lady of Walsingham (COLW) is a religious community founded on the 6th January 2004. Whilst rooted in the Carmelite tradition, they are developing a vocational spirituality which is at the heart of their charism.

Cor-Lumen Christi Community
A charismatic, covenant community of married and single people, residential and non-residential members. The Community has 2 foundations, one in Chertsey, Surrey and the other in Wigton, Cumbria.

Chemin Neuf Community
A French community founded in Lyon with a very marked Ignatian spirituality and a strong ecumenical charism. Recently the Community founded their first house in Somerset.

Miles Jesu
Miles Jesu (Latin for "Soldier of Jesus") is a form of consecrated life in the Catholic Church for the laity, known as an Ecclesial Family of Consecrated Life, whose purpose is "to instill Catholic ideals and goals in the world to further the Kingdom of Christ, making Him the Center of all human life". Miles Jesu promotes the Catholic Faith through retreats, seminars, prayer-study reunions and conferences for young people and adults. With its headquarters in Rome, Miles Jesus works in 15 countries on 4 continents. The Institute is approved by the Holy See.

The Monastic Family Fraternity of Jesus
A monastic community rooted in the Benedictine and Cistercian traditions, founded in 1973. Its foundation house, the Monastery of Vallechiara, is home to a community of monks [Brothers of Jesus], a community of nuns [Sisters of Jesus] and an Association of the Faithful [families and lay people sharing the same spirituality]. For more information about the community visit their website on www.fraternityofjesus.org

Society of Our Lady of the Trinity (SOLT)

Sion
A mission orientated residential community of lay people, priests and religious, based in Brentwood, Essex.

House of the Open Door Community
An ecumenical community in the Cotswolds with strong links with Eastern Europe and East Africa.

The Pilgrims Community
An evangelisation-centered community

Prince of Peace Community A Catholic Charismatic lay community led by Myles Dempsey and based in the Liverpool area. Organisers of the New Dawn Conference every August in Walsingham.

Youth Ministry Team of Hexham & Newcastle Catholic Charismatic youth community

The Lay Community of St Benedict

Verbum Dei Community
Verbum Dei is an International Catholic Community founded in 1963 with communities in London, Reading, Southampton and the Isle of Wight. It is an International Family extending to and embracing people of all states and areas of life, united with one and the same charism and mission. They seek to be a clear expression of the Kingdom of God, building up Christian communities of living faith, through prayer, witness of life, and the ministry of the Word.

Madonna House
Madonna House is one of the new communities in the Catholic Church composed of laymen, laywomen and priests. It was founded by Russian emigré Catherine de Hueck Doherty in Toronto, Ontario, in the early 1930's. She opened what she called 'Friendship Houses,' centres of love and concern for those in need. The apostolate is engaged in all the spiritual and corporal works of mercy, but the main work of each house, to quote Catherine, "rests in the love its members have for one another."

Cenacolo Community - From Darkness into Light. Is an addition controlling and ruining your life? Would you like to discover hope and joy?

The Cenacolo Community was founded by an Italian nun called Sister Elvira who has a great love for those with addictions.

There are 45 communities worldwide who rely purely on providence and prayer for their everyday needs. Unlike a rehabilitation unit there are no psychiatrists, psychotherapists, or medication. Life in the community is simple and centred on work, prayer and spiritual healing. Each community is run by addicts for addicts under the overall direction of Sister elvira.

You do not have to believe in God to join a community but you must have a strong commitment to change the way that you have lived your life up until now.

Where to find help / prayer groups / more information:
Liverpool: Jean 0192 879 5326
Coventry: Tom 020476 227 677
Birmingham: Daniel 0781 806 5309
London: Paula 0208 671 8027
Brighton: Chris 01273 551577 / Nicki 01737 210794

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