Gifts or charisms of the Holy Spirit

These are supernatural abilities given by God to everyone in the Body of Christ to fulfil both their individual and collective mission, the building up and expansion of the Church- the bride of Christ. CCC768 So that she can fulfil her mission, the Holy Spirit “bestows upon [the Church] varied hierarchic and charismatic gifts, and in this way directs her.” “Henceforward the Church, endowed with the gifts of her founder and faithfully observing his precepts of charity, humility and self-denial, receives the mission of proclaiming and establishing among all peoples the Kingdom of Christ and of God…

1 Corinthians 12:1,4-11 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed…..4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.

These gifts are sometimes referred to as the ‘Charismatic gifts’ as they have been promoted in the Church by the Charismatic Renewal, but they actually belong to the whole Church. If you would like to see these gifts in action, they may be readily witnessed and experienced in a Charismatic setting such as a prayer group, retreat, outreach, praise and worship gathering or conference. These gatherings are the perfect place to ask to be prayed over for the Baptism/ Release of the Holy Spirit and the gifts.

See our events, links and directory for contacts for these groups.

There are numerous other gifts mentioned in the bible including, amongst others, Administration/ leadership, faith, joy serving/ministering/hospitality, teaching, encouraging/exhorting, giving/ providing, compassion/mercy, creativity, speaking, preaching, courage and evangelism. Realistically the variety of charisms and graces are probably endless as God gives us the gifts, abilities and talents we need, for the role he has given us. Some of these we are born with, and some we receive supernaturally!

For further study on gifts see the documents and Catechism of the Catholic Church www.vatican.va and the Bible especially Isaiah 11:1-2, 1 Corinthians 12:28-30, 1 Corinthians 13, Romans 12:4-8,1 Peter 4, and Ephesian 4:11-13.

Let’s pray now for these gifts…

Lord, I thank you for all the natural talents and abilities you have given me. Please empower them now, with your Holy Spirit, for your service. I also ask to be given any supernatural gifts that I need to fulfil your calling in my life, to serve as part of your Body, and to edify and build up your Church. I open myself to receive these gifts right now. Please help me to recognise them, and give me the courage and faith to respond to your promptings, and biddings, and to use them for your Kingdom and your Glory. Amen