Discover your Charisms, strengthen faith and serve others

Discovering your charisms is both a personal and communal call. These unique gifts deepen your connection with God, clarify your vocation, and empower you to serve the Church and the world. Not sure what a Charism is? Adrian Wellspring answers your questions.

What are Charisms?

Charisms are gifts of grace bestowed by God to serve a good purpose. They are often linked to the gifts described in the Bible, including Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:7-10, and Ephesians 4:7,11. These gifts are intended to benefit others.

The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit given during Confirmation are considered common charisms. These gifts, which every confirmed Catholic receives, help individuals grow in holiness and emulate Jesus in their daily lives. Yet, these particular gifts mainly assist one’s own Christian life, rather than being directly outward-facing.

How many Charisms exist?

The number of charisms is boundless, as God gives them according to His will. Catholic evangelist Sherry Weddell has researched charisms extensively, identifying 24 that are most commonly witnessed within the Church’s lived experience.

Her list includes the charisms mentioned in St. Paul’s letters and others not explicitly identified in Scripture, such as music and writing. This research is insightful, though not exhaustive, and can offer practical ways of approaching this abstract concept.

For more on Sherry’s work, visit The Catherine of Siena Institute.

Are Charisms given to all baptised Christians?

Yes, every Christian receives at least one charism through baptism, and many receive more. God’s provision of charisms is not limited to baptism or a person’s age. Charisms can be granted at any time in a Christian’s life.

Historically, the charisms mentioned by St. Paul were evident in the early Church when adult baptisms were common.

The Second Vatican Council (1962-65) affirmed these gifts are vital for “the renewal and building up of the Church.” Integral to early Christian life, they remain expected today among Church members. Identifying specific charisms requires spiritual discernment.

What separates Charisms from natural talents?

Charisms are unique in that they depend directly on God’s action. They grow in effectiveness as a person deepens their relationship with God, and they diminish if used for anything other than extending God’s love to others. Unlike natural talents, charisms cannot be misused for selfish or harmful purposes. For instance, the charism of writing could never be employed to create hate speech.

On the other hand, natural talents are typically inherited or developed through effort and practice. While they can be utilised for personal satisfaction or even immoral purposes, talents like music or creativity often work in harmony with charisms. However, charisms have an impact that exceeds the natural capabilities of the individual using them. Discernment is necessary to differentiate between charisms and natural talents, especially for gifts like leadership, music, or writing that often overlap both categories.

Can you provide an example of a Charism?

One example is the charism of Wisdom. It’s important to distinguish between the Confirmation gift of Wisdom and the charism itself. The former equips Christians to apply God’s truths to their lives. The charism of Wisdom, however, allows an individual to develop creative solutions to complex problems and guide others in making sound decisions.

Caroline Chisholm, a Servant of God, exemplified the charism of Wisdom. During the 1840s in Sydney, an influx of vulnerable immigrant women faced challenges such as unemployment, corruption, and lack of housing. Many fell victim to exploitation.

Recognising this, Caroline, inspired by her faith, developed innovative solutions. She established homes, created employment registers, and personally transported immigrants to rural areas with genuine opportunities.

Despite opposition and hardships, Caroline’s efforts settled 11,000 immigrants over six years, showcasing the charism of Wisdom in action.

Why is it important to discern your Charisms?

Charisms are clues to our vocation within the Church. Each person has a unique gift, or “personal vocation,” as St. John Paul II described. These gifts benefit others and strengthen the Church community.

The Church, as Christ’s body, has many parts. Discerning charisms helps us understand our place within it. By identifying them, we participate in Christ’s mission, integrating our gifts into His plan. This benefits us and unites us as co-workers with Christ for the world’s transformation.

How does discerning Charisms benefit my parish or wider christian community?

Charisms are tools for God’s mission. They reflect His love and transform earthly matters in line with His plan. Exercised, charisms foster renewal and strengthen Christian communities.

The diverse charisms within a parish or diocese create a “puzzle” that demonstrates how to bring God’s love into the world. Their presence signals the needs God identifies in the community. Learning about charisms enables deeper, spiritually informed discussions about your role in the Church’s mission. These gifts shape the local Church’s outreach and ministry, creating a more vibrant Christian presence.

• Adrian Wellspring is a spiritual director trained in the Ignatian way of discernment. He is based at St Benedict’s, Narrabundah.