Charisms are gifts of the Spirit used to gather, sanctify, and minister life in the Church and in the world. Charismatic gifts are as important to the Church today as they were in apostolic times. These gifts work to bring unity, to empower and to serve the Church’s needs. The Church has declared: “Whether these charisms be very remarkable or more simple and widely diffused, they are to be received with thanksgiving and consolation since they are fitting and useful for the needs of the church.” (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, #12).
Scripture references cover a broad range of gifts, from prophecy and healing to mercy, teaching, almsgiving, perseverance, joy, encouragement, hospitality and leadership. St. Paul lists the Spirit’s manifestation gifts in 1 Cor 12:4-11.
Gifts of Grace
Sometimes called Word Gifts: Tongues, Interpretation of Tongues, and Prophecy (see below).
Gifts of Service
Wisdom is the facility to offer a solution to a problem or to give insightful teachings that opens the hearer to God’s wisdom.
Knowledge is the ability to clearly communicate God’s word or doctrinal truths, or to know how God is working within an individual or in the community at a particular time.
Discernment is the capacity to know whether a gift or inspiration has at its source the Holy Spirit, is of human origin, or of evil influence. Paul says that the Spirit always bears witness to Jesus (1 Cor 12:3).
Gifts of Works
Faith is a supernatural infusion to know with full certainty that God will bring something about. (Charismatic faith is not the same as the virtue of faith with which we receive our salvation in Christ).
Miracles are God’s supernatural interventions into the natural realm to demonstrate divine power. Miracles help strengthen faith or bring about faith.
Healing is the manifestation of God’s power to restore a person’s spiritual, psychological, or physical well-being. This may be instantaneous or gradual, and often through the use of natural means.
(Reference: Charisms © 2009 The National Service Committee of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of the United States, Inc.)
Last Updated on May 28, 2022.
