Charismatic Phenomena and Spiritual Discernment

Abstract

Within the Church, the living presence of the Holy Spirit fosters dynamism in the spiritual lives of believes who are entrusted with the task to remain faithful to the Gospel message as they carry out their mission in the world. The Holy Spirit awakens in those who believe enthusiasm in professing the faith as well as the courage to follow Christ, strengthens charity and leads the faithful toward greater unity within the community of the Church. In the Holy Spirit’s power, individual believers enjoy the charismatic privilege of His influence, which is manifested in their experience of His extraordinary gifts. The ability to discern these gifts is contingent on the ability to conceptualize them. This article, which discusses charismatic phenomena and spiritual dis cernment, presents how one can understand and interpret both in the spirit of the Catholic Church’s doctrine.