What Is a Charism?

The Sacred Scriptures tell us a great deal about charisms. We find the New Testament’s teaching on charisms primarily in the letters of St. Paul, but also in the first letter of St. Peter, as well as in many other passages that refer indirectly to charisms. Although the Greek word charisma has the general meaning of “gratuitous gift,” in the Scriptures the word has a very particular meaning. In Scripture, charisms refer to specific gifts that the Spirit distributes to individuals (see 1 Corinthians 12:10).6

Charisms are far more than human abilities. They are “the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10, NRSVCE), and each charism “is what might be called a ‘gracelet,’ a droplet of the vast ocean of God’s grace.”7 The Scriptures are clear that they have a divine origin: charisms are “manifestation[s] of the Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:7; see 1 Corinthians 12:4-11); are apportioned by the risen and ascended Christ Jesus (see Ephesians 4:7); and come to us from God (see Romans 12:3; 1 Corinthians 12:28; 2 Timothy 1:6). They are supernatural gifts lavished on us by the divine Persons of the Holy Trinity.8

As noted by prominent theologians, charisms have important spiritual characteristics. To begin with, charisms do not flow from sanctifying grace (which is infused into the soul at Baptism), and as a result, they are unique. God gives them completely gratuitously—we cannot merit them. This means that growth in holiness does not produce them or demand them.9 Second, in every instance they require the direct intervention of God.10 The New Testament identifies them as spiritual gifts (pneumatika), and this underscores that they “are bestowed by the Spirit (pneuma) and require a yielding to the influence of the Spirit.”11 Third, the state of grace is not required for the reception or exercise of a charism. One may be in a state of mortal sin and still exercise a charism. Although it is generally considered rare and by way of exception, it is even possible to manifest a charism before one is baptized (see Acts 10:44-48).12

What Is the Official Teaching of the Catholic Church about Charisms?

It is evident, then, that the mere presence of a charism in a person’s life says nothing about the state of their soul or about their personal holiness.13 It is also true, however, that the proper exercise of a charism is itself an act of love that sanctifies the person who exercises it.14 Finally, charisms are not necessary for the salvation of an individual.15 However, as we shall see, they may be decisive for the salvation of others.

Charisms are not ends in themselves. They serve the loving will of God. It is easy to see why, as St. Paul insists,

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. (1 Corinthians. 13:1-3)

Jesus himself warned,

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”

(Matthew 7:21-23)

It is critical to understand that charisms only make sense—and only have benefit for someone—if they are integrated into a life immersed in God’s love through prayer, sacraments, and good works,16 “a life transfigured by God’s presence.”17

What Are the Various Charisms We Can Receive?

Sacred Scripture mentions an array of these special charisms, including the following:

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:4-8)

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. . . .

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. (1 Corinthians 12:1, 4-11)

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:27-31)

What Is the Official Teaching of the Catholic Church about Charisms?

Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.

(1 Corinthians 14:1-3)

When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.

(1 Corinthians 14:26)

But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it says:

“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” . . .

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:7-8, 11-12)

God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

(Hebrews 2:4)

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:8-11)

Then Moses said to the people of Israel, “See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold and silver and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, for work in every skilled craft. And he has inspired him to teach, both him and Oholiab the son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan. He has filled them with skill to do every sort of work done by an engraver or by a designer or by an embroiderer in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, or by a weaver—by any sort of workman or skilled designer.” (Exodus 35:30-35)

The disciples said to him, “If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” But he said to them, “Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given. For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it.” (Matthew 19:10-12)

I wish that all were as I myself am [celibate]. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. (1 Corinthians 7:7)

Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” (Matthew 19:21)

What Is the Official Teaching of the Catholic Church about Charisms?

“And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:17-18)

Most scriptural references to charisms are from the New Testament because “although the phenomenon, if not the name, of charismatic gifts was evident in the Old Testament (e.g., in Moses, the Prophets), the full outpouring of the Spirit was reserved for messianic times (Ps 67:19; Eph 4.7–13).”18 It is also important to note that “none of these lists claims to be exhaustive.”19 The range of diversity of these special gifts allotted by the Holy Spirit may be immense. In fact, St. Irenaeus explains that it is impossible to number the charisms.20 One obvious example is the charism of infallibility in matters of faith and morals, which is given, under certain conditions, to the Church’s shepherds (see Catechism, 890–892).

It is important to note that while a few of the gifts are of an extraordinary nature, such as healing, deliverance, or prophecy, most charisms are seemingly very ordinary, such as hospitality, administration, or teaching. In God’s economy, each charism has its own place and importance.

Who Can Receive Charisms?

It is a common misconception that only a few extraordinary souls can receive supernatural gifts from the Holy Spirit. We learn from St. Paul, however, that every Christian receives charisms: “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7). In the letters of St. Paul, it is clear that he simply assumes that each Christian has charisms and is using them.