Find My Charism
← Find My Charism

Encouragement

Helping others find renewed hope, persevere, and grow in faith.

Wondering how this gift may show up in your life? Discover your charisms →

Barnabas stands beside Saul and introduces him to the apostles in Jerusalem
Barnabas stands beside Saul before the apostles · Acts 9:26–28 About this Scripture scene ↓

Understanding Encouragement

Encouragement helps people find hope, keep going, and take another step in following Christ. The Holy Spirit can work through listening, a reassuring word, or a gentle challenge that helps someone grow. Someone with this gift notices the good God is doing and helps others recognize it too. Their support makes room for honest struggle while strengthening faith.

CCC 799–801 · Romans 12:6–8

Where you may recognize it

Consider the relationships and responsibilities already part of your life.

With a discouraged friend

You listen without rushing past the difficulty and help them recognize what remains possible.

Noticing another person’s good

You name something specific you have seen in their service rather than offering general praise.

A faithful challenge

You help a friend name a difficult step toward Christ and stay alongside them as they begin, making room for their hesitation.

Acts 9:26–28 ↗

Barnabas stands beside Saul

The image at the top of this page shows Barnabas standing beside Saul (Paul) in Jerusalem. When the disciples are afraid to welcome Saul, Barnabas brings him to the apostles and tells them about his encounter with the Lord and his bold preaching in Damascus.

He moved about freely with them in Jerusalem, and spoke out boldly in the name of the Lord.

Barnabas recognizes the work of God in Saul and stands beside him when others are hesitant. Encouragement can mean speaking up for someone and helping them take their next faithful step within the community.

More Scripture & Church teaching
1 Corinthians 12:4–11, 27–31

Paul describes a variety of gifts from the same Spirit, given for the benefit of the whole body.

Catechism 799–801

Charisms are gifts of the Holy Spirit for building up the Church and serving others. Love is their measure, and their discernment includes the guidance of the Church’s pastors.

Romans 12:6–8

Paul names exhortation: encouraging people to put faith into action. It belongs with service, teaching, generous giving, and mercy.

A woman offers attentive companionship to a discouraged young adult.

Encouragement in service of others

These ministries and programs may offer ways to serve through Encouragement. Speak with parish staff about where help is needed, how to prepare, and the parish’s volunteer process.

Men’s, women’s and small-group formation

Help people grow in faith through a parish group, such as That Man Is You!, Walking with Purpose, She Shall Be Called Woman, or another small Christian community.

Ways volunteers may help

  • Welcome participants and help newcomers find their group.
  • Help with breakfast, refreshments, materials or room setup.
  • Support discussion and prayer in the role arranged by the parish team.

Begin with your parish

Ask the parish formation coordinator about volunteering with its men’s, women’s or other small-group programs. The team can explain the roles, preparation and support available.

Programs you may recognize

  • That Man Is You!

    A Catholic men’s parish program combining faith formation and small-group conversation. Core teams organize sessions, welcome participants and support the group’s life together.

  • Walking with Purpose

    Catholic Bible studies for women and girls. Parish volunteer teams receive preparation and support to help women learn Scripture and build friendships in faith.

  • She Shall Be Called Woman

    A Catholic women’s program from Paradisus Dei, bringing together fellowship, video presentations and small-group discussion. Parish core teams receive training and materials.

Youth ministry

Support the parish’s youth programs through planned activities, small-group support, retreats, music or practical preparations, working with the youth ministry team.

Ways volunteers may help

  • Help with activities planned by the parish youth ministry team.
  • Listen to young people within the program’s safeguarding arrangements.
  • Support small-group activities in the role agreed with the coordinator.
  • Help with music for shared prayer or activities as arranged by the youth ministry coordinator.

Begin with your parish

Speak with the youth ministry coordinator about available roles, required formation, and safeguarding before volunteering.

Bereavement support

Accompany people grieving a death through the parish’s bereavement ministry. Catholic programs such as Seasons of Hope offer Scripture, prayer and companionship.

Related charisms Mercy Encouragement Caregiving Faith Wisdom Intercession

Bereavement support

Accompany people grieving a death through the parish’s bereavement ministry. Catholic programs such as Seasons of Hope offer Scripture, prayer and companionship.

Ways volunteers may help

  • Welcome people and help with practical arrangements for grief-support meetings.
  • Offer attentive companionship in the role for which the parish has prepared you.
  • Support remembrance gatherings or follow-up with grieving families.
  • Pray for people and families through the team’s agreed process.

Begin with your parish

Contact the parish bereavement coordinator about its formation, boundaries, and volunteer process.

Programs you may recognize

  • Seasons of Hope

    A Catholic grief-support program centered on Scripture, prayer and companionship. Parish teams use its materials to accompany people mourning the death of a loved one.

Resources for learning and preparation

  • FORMED — Augustine Institute

    Catholic studies, films and talks for individuals and groups. The Search introduces the faith, while Symbolon explores Catholic belief and life. Ask whether your parish provides access.

As you discern

Bring these experiences to prayer, Mass and the sacraments, and conversation with a priest or trusted guide in the faith. Look over time for love of God and neighbor, faithfulness to Church teaching, and the good of those you serve. Joy, difficulty, and others’ feedback can help you recognize patterns. Look for encouragement that makes room for honest struggle and helps someone take a faithful next step. If no example comes to mind, begin with the experience suggested below.

Recall encouragement that helped someone persevere or face a difficult truth. What did they find strengthening about it?

When a person remains discouraged despite your efforts, how do you stay present without needing them to appear cheerful or make quick progress?

Something to try: Return to a friend who has welcomed your support. Listen, name a specific good you have noticed, and ask what step they hope to take. Check in later about what helped, what remained difficult, and how you can continue to accompany them.

Bring this to prayer

Saint Francis de Sales in prayer.

Saint Francis de Sales

Come, Holy Spirit. Help me recognize the good you are doing in the lives of others.

Give me truthful and gentle words that strengthen hope and help another person persevere.

Saint Francis de Sales, pray for me.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Francis de Sales was a bishop who guided people through conversations, letters, and books, including Introduction to the Devout Life. He taught that holiness was possible for people living ordinary family and working lives, not only those in monasteries. His patient, gentle guidance shows how encouragement can help someone move beyond anxiety, trust God, and keep growing in faith.

More about his life ↗