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The Role of Cancao Nova in the Charismatic Renewal

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by Fr. Jonas Abib Founder Cancao Nova

Interviewer: Father Jonas Abib, you have been present, together with other priests, in the first experiences of prayer for the Coming of the Holy Spirit; you have been also the protagonist of many of those moments. How do you see this spiritual opening in the hearts of those who participate in the Assembly?

Father Jonas Abib: First of all, people are hungry and thirsty for God at present, and God in His turn is generously pouring His Spirit over His people. I would say, "Starvation met the Feast". People are starving and God is giving them a feast. We are living outstanding times during which people are being nourished with very rich food through the Pouring of the Holy Spirit. This is probably one of the most beautiful times in the history of the Church, although a time of great suffering as well.

Interviewer: The Catholic Charismatic Renovation - through the Coming of the Holy Spirit - is arising a new awareness of God's Presence and Love and causes people to have a new taste for and greater zeal in their prayer and contact with the Gospel. In your person, Father Jonas Abib, a new Charismatic Community was brought to life. What is the contribution of the Catholic Charismatic Renovation in the creation of Cancao Nova Community?

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Father Jonas Abib: The Catholic Charismatic Renovation made everything because everything was born from it. Everything was born from my baptism in the Spirit and everything was born from an intuition, inspired by God, that the correct way to live Renovation is Community and the yeast of Renovation is Community, and from that intuition it was just one step more to proceed from Renovation to Accomplishment. I do not fear saying that "Cancao Nova is one of the great fruits of Catholic Charismatic Renovation in Brazil."

Interviewer: Cancao Nova is one of the many Communities that sponsor this New Pentecost in the life of faithful people. How do you feel that in your heart?

Father Jonas Abib: It is a committment and a responsibility for me. I received this lit torch and I need to hand it over and burning bright. If I receive many lit torches and have them all in my hands, it is my obligation to hand over these torches to as many people as I can. Cancao Nova exists to re-inflame God's charisma all over Brazil and, if God Wills, all over the world.

Interviewer: Many different Communities visit Cancao Nova and participate in our Services and activities. These different Congregations represent the diversity inside the Church, with their own particular spirituality and charisma. How do you see this gathering of diverse Congregations under the common roof of Cancao Nova?

Father Jonas Abib: This is precisely the fulfillment of one of our particular features. We exist through the Will of God, to unite all kinds of charisma and present them to the Church and to the World - and indeed God wants Cancao Nova to accomplish this mission. We are trying to make what God wants, not only presenting diverse Communities similar to ours but also different Movements with different spirituality. Like I said in the beginning of this interview, this is one of the most beautiful times in the history of the Church; one of the most extraordinary features of the present time is the great number of different Movements and Communities with different kinds of Spirituality inspired by God.

Interviewer: Does the Catholic Charismatic Renovation play a role in Vocational decision-making?

Father Jonas Abib: Yes, indeed, because many young and adult people are trying to find their real vocation at present, and in the Catholic Charismatic Renovation they have a referential that helps them to clearly see their own vocation. I do ask God to let it happen because many young and adult people who had long looked for an answer and still could not find the pathway to their vocation, are finding it at present with the help of Catholic Charismatic Renovation. One powerful gift of Catholic Charismatic Renovation is being able to clearly see in the Spirit; Renovation also revivifies the zeal of serving God thus enhancing people's ability of realizing their own vocation. Many adults had not lived their vocation so far simply because it was dormant and they did not have that flame lit in their souls.

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Interviewer: What is the main contribution of Cancao Nova to the Catholic Charismatic Renovation?

Father Jonas Abib: First of all we are part of the Catholic Charismatic Renovation; the fruit born by the branch are the fruit born by the tree. Consequently, the fruit of Cancao Nova are the fruit of Renovation itself. Obviously, we have received a lot from Renovation and we have been always proud to acknowledge that. We are and will always be part of the Catholic Charismatic Renovation. Nowadays Cancao Nova helps to spread the ideals of the Catholic Charismatic Renovation all around - to Brazil and the world - like an "ender son" always ends up helping his parents. Thank God we have the grace of being daring and live Charismatic gifts here, in a way that everybody can witness this outstanding contribution. I praise God by our daring spirit, because it is arising Renovation everywhere. We have reached a point that at present it is useless trying to silence these gifts: for, if they are not able to enter by the door, they enter through the roof! Baptism in the Holy Spirit is expanding all over Brazil and I feel that God wants to extend it to the rest of the world.