“I want a miracle!” These were words I wrote on a scrap of paper and tacked up on the bulletin board during the Duquesne Weekend, February 18, 1967. Never could I have imagined that the miracle I was praying for would be the largest ecclesial movement touching the lives of more than 120 million Catholics in every country around the world!
I’ve visited The Ark and The Dove several times during these 49 years for personal prayer and intercession. The most notable trip was in 1992 for three days of intercession before the Silver Jubilee Conference in Pittsburgh. I invited Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM, Cap., to join us and he told me that visiting The Ark and The Dove fulfilled a deep desire in his heart. What a joy to return this year, knowing that the Renewal has now reclaimed our birthplace and that this historic site is truly our home! Like Fr. Raniero, many from around the world will enter The Ark and The Dove to touch the grace of the beginnings and receive a new outpouring of the Spirit.
There were six of us from the Chi Rho scripture study group in attendance at The Blessing of The Ark and The Dove. David Mangan, John Rossmiller and I were participants in the famous retreat. Chris Rossmiller, Maura McDowell and Tom Mangan were members of Chi Rho, but not present on the Duquesne Weekend. All six of us shared a sense of wonderment and awe that our humble scripture study group would be used by God to spark a worldwide movement of the Spirit. Our stories and those of many others are told in my new book: As by a New Pentecost: Golden Jubilee Edition. When I worked on this Jubilee Edition, I was often moved to tears, marveling at the sovereign action of God.
People often ask me why God would choose such an insignificant group of people to begin such a significant work. My answer? “It’s his style!” God delights to do something with nothing to show that the power and glory belong to him alone! We don’t consider ourselves founders. We are simply witnesses. Charismatic Renewal wasn’t our idea. It was and is God’s idea!
Entering that paneled chapel at The Blessing this year, I was struck once more by how small and simple the space really is. In 1992 I came to The Ark and The Dove to film my testimony for a video produced by a secular company. When the videographers saw the small, unimpressive chapel they decided I should tell my story the next day in front of a tree on the beautiful grounds instead. That night I prayed fervently that the Lord would do something to thwart their plans and he sent a violent rain storm, making it impossible for an outdoor filming. The “Upper Room” chapel at The Ark and The Dove is like the cave in Bethlehem—small and simple, yet the place where God chose to do an incredible thing! “Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told” (Hb 1:5).
This year when Bishop David Zubik entered that same chapel to celebrate Mass, I was deeply moved and said to David Mangan, “Who could have dreamed this would happen?” The Bishop of Pittsburgh blessing The Ark and The Dove! Pope Francis mandating that we “share the grace of baptism in the Spirit with the whole Church!” It is a miracle!
All of us want to see this grace of baptism in the Spirit reach the next generations. The Lord began this movement with young people and he wants to propel it forward through young people. I speak here a word of prophetic exhortation for the future to my young friends: Be radically open to the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit! Don’t settle for “charismatic lite”! As one who was there “in the beginning,” I know “the cost of Pentecost” and it is real! I remember writing in my journal in 1967, “If it costs me every relationship in my life, I will not leave you, Lord. You are worthy.” Sometimes, out of a desire to be accepted by peers, it becomes easy to compromise on the charismatic gifts such as the gift of tongues or prophecy or healing. These charisms are freely given but very costly to those who exercise them. Please don’t settle for anything less than a Pentecost full of fire and power and anointing! Only that kind of Pentecost will renew the face of the earth!
When you “come home” and visit The Ark and The Dove, you will see a beautiful image of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the chapel. She is the Spouse of the Holy Spirit and our Merciful Mother. May Mary, Star of the New Evangelization, light our way as we move forward toward the Golden Jubilee and beyond. Amen.
Patti Mansfield
Patti Mansfield and her husband, Al, serve the Charismatic Renewal in New Orleans. They are recipients of the papal medal, Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice. Patti has ministered on all five continents to priests and laity in the Renewal. Her newest book is As By A New Pentecost: Golden Jubilee Edition.
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