What could an Italian nun destined to be canonized a Saint possibly have to do with a bunch of ex-Methodists running a non-denominational Bible school in Kansas, and what could that unlikely relationship mean for the future of ecumenism between Catholics and Protestants? Well, those are among the questions the new docudrama That They May Be One hopes to answer. To do so, the film uses interviews and reenactments of key events from Scripture and history to detail the possible Catholic origins of the Charismatic Renewal movement, its growth through the 20th century, and its potential to be a source of unification between all Christians.
The movie’s initial premise — that the Charismatic Renewal movement, often associated with Protestantism, may have actually gotten its kick-start from the Catholic Church — may come as a surprise to many. However, facts back up the claim. As the film documents, between 1895 and 1903, Sr. Elena Guerra, founder of the Oblate Sisters of the Holy Spirit, wrote 12 confidential letters to Pope Leo XIII. In these, she urged the Pontiff to return the Church to an “Upper Room” spirit of Pentecost by consecrating the 20th century to the Holy Spirit. By doing this, it was hoped an outpouring of the Holy Spirit would renew the Church, reunite all Christians, and reinvigorate the world.
That may seem like a big thing for a single nun to ask of the Pope, but moved by the sister’s faith and intentions, Leo was inspired to do as she wished. Not only did he issue the 1897 encyclical Divinum Illud Munus on the Holy Spirit, but he also mandated the annual Pentecost Novena to be prayed by the whole Church, and on January 1, 1901, he publicly sang the Veni Creator Spiritus in St. Peter’s Basilica, consecrating the new century to the Holy Spirit on behalf of the entire Church.
Now, it’s here the story takes an unexpected turn. On that very same New Year’s Day in 1901, a student at the Protestant-run Bethel Bible School in Topeka named Agnes Ozman suddenly felt compelled to ask her study group to pray over her so that she might receive the “Baptism in the Holy Spirit” in the same manner as the Apostles did on the Day of Pentecost. Coincidence? Don’t you believe it say the filmmakers. As the prayer proceeded, Agnes spontaneously burst into the first modern recorded instance of glossolalia, more commonly referred to as speaking in tongues. Thus was the Charismatic Renewal movement begun.
After showing a reenactment of this event, the film moves into a discussion of how the movement spread across Protestantism over the decades, finally moving into Catholic circles in the mid-60s. In 1975, Pope Paul VI officially gave the movement his blessing, noting the Renewal’s promotion of prayer, commitment to Christ, openness to the Spirit, praise of God, and Scripture study; all traits consistent with Sr. Elena Guerra’s original goals. He did include some caveats, though, insisting those involved in the Renewal must maintain fidelity to Catholic doctrine and use discernment to avoid getting caught up in emotionalism, elitism, or self-centered individualism. More recently, in 2019, Pope Francis requested the establishment of CHARIS (Catholic Charismatic Renewal International Service), whose mission is to spread the “Baptism in the Holy Spirit” and other charisms throughout the whole Church, to serve the poor, and to work for Christian unity.
It’s this last point which is the heart of the movie. As a study of the history of the Charismatic Renewal movement, it’s fine in and of itself. However, what the Catholics and Protestants who appear onscreen together really want to accomplish with the film is to put forth the notion that the movement, focused as it is on the Holy Spirit, is the perfect vehicle with which to accomplish Christian reunification. Hence the title, which is derived from Jesus’s prayer in John 17 in which he expresses his desire that all may be one. As to whether the movie successfully makes its case will be up to individual viewers, but it’s an argument worth hearing.
That They May Be One will play in theaters on May 19 and May 20.
