In the Catholic Church, particularly, there was a belief about the “charisms of the Holy Spirit.” These are totally different from the “gifts” or “fruits” of the Holy Spirit, and they are primarily given for the benefit of the entire Church.
In that case, St. Catherine of Siena Institute best describes exactly what “charisms” are and how they are beneficial.
“Charism” is the Greek word which was used in the New Testament for “favor” or “gratuitous gift.” Charisms, or spiritual gifts, are special abilities which is given to all Christians by the Holy Spirit so as to give them power both to represent Christ and to be a channel of God’s goodness for people. Whether it’s extraordinary or ordinary, all charisms is meant to be exercised in the service of God.
However, the Catechism of the Catholic Church also explains charisms by describing them as “a wonderfully rich grace for the apostolic vitality and for the holiness of the entire Body of Christ, provided they really are genuine gifts of the Holy Spirit and are used in full conformity with authentic promptings of this same Spirit, that is, in keeping with charity, the true measure of all charisms” (CCC 800).
According to St. Paul in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4, he lists the multiple charisms which are given to Christians.
For instance, in Romans 12 St. Paul explains how each person receives a particular charisms which help to build-up the body of Christ.
For as in one body we have many members, and all the members do not 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; he who teaches, in his teaching; he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who contributes, in liberality; he who gives aid, with zeal; he who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:4-8).
Below is a short list of some of the charisms: they are
Teaching, administration, discernment, knowledge, wisdom, craftsmanship, writing, music, and missionary.
Though, these charisms are not always immediately evident and at times it can differ from a person’s natural talents.
For further explanation, Discernment is the key to discover a person’s charism(s) it and requires both internal and external validation.
For instance, a charism can be found when a person experiences interior peace when engaged in an activity which is related to the charism.
Also, the Holy Spirit usually works through other people in order to validate a person’s charism, encouraging them to pursue it, even when that person does not know that they are actively trying to discover their charism.
Moreover, one of the most helpful tools to discern your particular charism is through the “Called and Gifted ” workshop offered by the St. Catherine of Siena Institute.
This workshop can be conducted individually, or through a study group at a parish.
However, for a person to discerns his charism, it can be one of the most life-changing events. With confident in the gifts God has given them, a person who knows their charism is always ready and equipped to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and serve their particular mission in the body of Christ.
Charisms helps us to recognize the uniqueness of each individual and how we are all different and can assist in our own way in the evangelization of the world.
As St. Paul eloquently puts it in his letter to the Corinthians.
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 … All these are inspired by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. (1 Corinthians 12:29-30; 11).
