The Catholic Church teaches that charisms, or spiritual gifts, are special abilities given by the Holy Spirit to baptised Christians for the good of the Church and the world. Rooted in Scripture and elaborated through the Church’s teachings, charisms are seen as tools for building up the Body of Christ and for carrying out the Church’s mission. Here’s an overview of the Church’s teaching on charisms, supported by key sources and references.

 1. Scriptural Basis for Charisms

   The New Testament, especially the letters of St. Paul, provides the foundation for understanding charisms. In 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, and Ephesians 4, St. Paul describes charisms as diverse spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit to believers, including wisdom, knowledge, healing, prophecy, and discernment, among others. Each charism is unique and contributes to the health and growth of the Church.

   The Church sees charisms as a continuation of the spiritual gifts poured out at Pentecost (Acts 2), meant to empower the faithful to serve God and others effectively. The Catechism explains that these gifts are given not only for personal sanctification but also for the benefit of the whole community.

Reference: 1 Corinthians 12; Romans 12; Ephesians 4; Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), 799-801.

 2. The Nature and Purpose of Charisms

   The Church teaches that charisms are “graces of the Holy Spirit” that are given to individuals in a way suited to their vocation and the needs of the community. Charisms are not the same as the sanctifying gifts of the Holy Spirit (such as wisdom, understanding, and counsel) given to all in Baptism and Confirmation. Instead, charisms are particular gifts for service, given to enable specific kinds of ministry within the Church and the world.

   According to the Catechism, the purpose of charisms is “to build up the Church, for the good of men and the needs of the world” (CCC 799). The Church teaches that these gifts should be discerned and used responsibly, always with humility, to ensure they are aligned with the Church’s teaching and mission.

Reference: Catechism of the Catholic Church, 799-801.

 3. Charisms and the Universal Call to Holiness

   The Second Vatican Council emphasised that all Christians are called to holiness and that charisms play a role in this call. In Lumen Gentium, the Council acknowledged that charisms can be both extraordinary (e.g., healing, prophecy) and ordinary (e.g., teaching, service) and that they are meant to help lay Catholics live out their vocation in everyday life. This teaching places charisms within the context of the “universal call to holiness,” calling each person to contribute to the Church’s mission in their unique way.

Reference: Lumen Gentium, 12; Apostolicam Actuositatem, 3.

 4. Discernment and the Role of the Church

   The Church encourages careful discernment of charisms. While all charisms are believed to be good, they must be evaluated to ensure they are genuinely inspired by the Holy Spirit and used in ways that build up the Church rather than create division. The Catechism notes that discernment of charisms is necessary, and this discernment is entrusted to the Church’s authority, especially the bishops, to ensure harmony within the community.

   In practical terms, this means that charisms should be exercised in communion with the Church’s teachings and under the guidance of Church leaders. Some charisms might be more private, benefiting the individual spiritually, while others, like teaching or administration, are public and have a more direct impact on the community.

Reference: Catechism of the Catholic Church, 801; Lumen Gentium, 12.

 5. Lay Ministry and Charisms

   The Church’s teaching on charisms also highlights their role in empowering the laity for ministry. Vatican II’s Apostolicam Actuositatem encourages the laity to discern and use their charisms in diverse forms of lay ministry, serving in both the Church and secular society. Charisms are seen as instruments that enable lay Catholics to bring Gospel values into their families, workplaces, and social environments.

   In Christifideles Laici, Pope John Paul II reiterated that charisms help laypeople carry out their mission, allowing them to contribute uniquely to the Church’s life and apostolate. This reinforces the idea that charisms are not restricted to religious or ordained members but are meant to be exercised by all baptised Christians.

Reference: Apostolicam Actuositatem, 3; Christifideles Laici, 24.

 6. Charisms in Church Movements and Renewal

   The Church has also recognised the role of charisms in ecclesial movements and renewal communities, which bring vitality to the Church through specific missions, spiritual practices, or forms of service. In Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis noted the importance of these groups in revitalising the Church, affirming that the Holy Spirit distributes charisms that enrich the Church’s diversity. He encouraged openness to the Spirit’s work through these charisms, so long as they remain integrated within the Church’s structure and support its unity.

Reference: Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, 130-131.

Summary

The Catholic Church teaches that charisms are diverse spiritual gifts from the Holy Spirit, given to all baptised Christians to contribute to the Church’s mission and build up the Body of Christ. These gifts range from extraordinary signs like healing and prophecy to everyday gifts like teaching and administration. Rooted in Scripture and developed in the teachings of Vatican II, the Church views charisms as essential tools for holiness and mission, encouraging the laity to discern and use these gifts responsibly, in alignment with Church teaching and under pastoral guidance. The diversity of charisms underscores the Holy Spirit’s active presence in the Church, uniting all members in a common mission while respecting individual calls and talents.

References

1. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 799-801.

2. Lumen Gentium, 12.

3. Apostolicam Actuositatem, 3.

4. Christifideles Laici, 24.

5. Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, 130-131.