What is the unique gift God has entrusted to you? Spiritual Director and Giver of the Spiritual Exercises, Ruth Morgan explores the Ignatian understanding of charism, as a grace that draws us towards love, service, and the greater good.

What do we mean by charism?

From an Ignatian perspective, charism can be understood as a gift that helps us find God in all things and respond with generous service. It is more than something we are good at. It is a grace that draws us towards what gives life, deepens love, and serves the needs of others. We might recognise charism through consolation: those moments when our work, prayer, relationships or service bring a deeper sense of faith, hope and love.

St Ignatius’ experience of discernment and charism

St Ignatius’ own experience helps us understand charism through the movement of prayerful discernment. After being wounded at Pamplona, Ignatius spent a long period recovering at Loyola. During this time, he noticed different movements within himself. Dreams of worldly honour left him restless and dry, while thoughts of following Christ and the saints brought a deeper and more lasting joy.

Rather than dismissing these movements as passing moods, Ignatius prayerfully attended to them. He asked where each desire was leading him: towards God, freedom, humility and service, or towards self-importance and restlessness. This careful attention to consolation and desolation became central to Ignatian spirituality. For Ignatius, discernment was not simply choosing between options; it was learning to listen for God in the movements of the heart. In prayer, he reflected on his desires, tested them over time, and noticed their fruits. Consolation drew him beyond himself towards love, courage, gratitude and service.

Desolation narrowed his vision, leaving him discouraged, anxious or turned in on himself. Through this prayerful pattern of noticing, reflecting and responding, Ignatius gradually discovered that his gifts were not simply for personal achievement, but for helping souls, serving God and seeking the greater good. His charism grew through prayer, reflection, learning, companionship and mission. Charism is more than a talent or interest. It is a gift from God that becomes mission when it is discerned, purified and placed at the service of others. As St Paul writes, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:4). Charism can take many forms. For example:

• St Francis of Assisi — a gift for simplicity, peace and care for creation
• St Mary MacKillop — a gift for education, practical help and trust in God
• St Teresa of Calcutta — a gift for serving people who were poor, forgotten or alone

An Ignatian way of seeing gifts in the world

Ignatian spirituality invites us to find God in all things, including in the courage, wisdom and compassion of people beyond formal religious structures. A person does not need to be a saint to reveal something of God’s generous love. Nelson Mandela, for example, had a gift for bringing people together after deep hurt and division. His work was marked by reconciliation, dignity, justice and peace. Through an Ignatian lens, we are invited through these examples to notice where grace is at work and to ask how our own gifts might serve healing, hope and the greater good.

Charism-like gifts and the greater good

We can also recognise charism-like gifts in people whose lives point us towards justice, compassion, reconciliation and care for creation. Ignatian spirituality would encourage us to look carefully, listen deeply, and notice the fruits of their gifts:

• Mahatma Gandhi — a gift for nonviolence, courage and social change
• Florence Nightingale — a gift for compassionate care and improving health services
• Jane Goodall — a gift for careful observation, care for animals and care for the earth
• Martin Luther King Jr — a gift for justice, hope and nonviolent change

An Ignatian reflection on our work

Serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. 1 Peter 4:10. When we recognise our charism, our work can begin to feel less like a task and more like a response to God’s invitation. Ignatian spirituality encourages us to pause, reflect and discern: Where do I notice life, energy, compassion and hope? Where am I being drawn towards deeper service? Where might God be present in the ordinary work of this day? We may still face difficult days, heavy responsibilities and moments of doubt. But underneath it all, there can be a steady sense that we are being invited to offer what only we can offer.

What gift in me seems to draw me towards deeper love, service and hope?

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