Catholic Vocab Word of the Week - "Charism"

Author

James Berigan
November 21, 2024

Thanks to Merriam-Webster for the definition!

In the Catholic Church, a “charism” is a special gift from the Holy Spirit that can be used to help spread the faith and benefit the Church.

There are many such gifts mentioned in the Bible that cover a broad range of charisms. For example, you can find them mentioned in the following books: 

  • Acts 2

  • 1 Corinthians 12

  • Romans 12

  • Ephesians 4

As I launch the very first issue of this email newsletter, I pray that I have the God-given talent (“charism”) to do a good job and not mess this up.

After having worked for several years in Catholic organizations, I've had to write many letters, articles, advertisements, emails, and so on. I haven’t been fired yet, so I must be doing ok at it so far.

It turns out that “writing” is a charism mentioned in scripture, and either I’ve been blessed with it or my co-workers just really hate writing!

So, anyway, this is why the word “charism” has been on my mind lately and why I chose it to be our inaugural “Catholic Word of the Week”.

Which charism or charisms (plural) do you have? Are you using them to grow the Church and bring glory to God? How so? I’d love to hear from you about it!

Examples of the charisms of the Holy Spirit (in alphabetical order)

  1. Administration

  2. Celibacy

  3. Craftsmanship

  4. Discernment of Spirits

  5. Encouragement

  6. Evangelism

  7. Faith

  8. Giving

  9. Healing

  10. Helps

  11. Hospitality

  12. Intercessory Prayer

  13. Knowledge

  14. Leadership

  15. Mercy

  16. Missionary

  17. Music

  18. Pastoring

  19. Prophecy

  20. Service

  21. Teaching

  22. Voluntary Poverty

  23. Wisdom

  24. Writing

  25. Public Tongues & Interpretation of Tongues

Credit to Many Parts Ministries for the list.