Find My Charism
When plans fail
You help someone turn toward God without pretending that the disappointment is small.
Faith
Strengthening others to persevere in reliance on God’s goodness and promises.
Wondering how this gift may show up in your life? Discover your charisms →
Understanding Faith
Faith helps others persevere in relying on God’s goodness and promises. The Holy Spirit can give someone a steady confidence in Christ that strengthens people who are uncertain or discouraged. Every Christian is called to faith; this particular gift serves others through that confidence. Its emphasis is helping people remain close to God through difficulty. It makes room for fear and questions, including when no extraordinary answer or visible resolution comes.
Where you may recognize it
Consider the relationships and responsibilities already part of your life.
In a long difficulty
You remain a steady presence when progress is slow and hope is hard to sustain.
Taking a faithful step
You encourage a reasonable act of trust even when the whole path is unclear.
Peter reaches toward Jesus
The image at the top of this page shows Peter on the water, reaching toward Jesus. When fear overtakes him, Peter cries out and Jesus takes his hand.
Lord, save me!
Jesus’ power over the water reveals who he is, and the disciples acknowledge him as the Son of God. Peter’s cry for help directs us toward Christ’s saving power. Faith rests in him, including when fear or weakness exposes our need for his help.
More Scripture & Church teaching
1 Corinthians 12:4–11, 27–31
Paul names faith among particular gifts of the Spirit given for others’ good. This differs from treating the strength of someone’s feelings as a measure of Christian faith.
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.
Catechism 1814–1816
Faith is a theological virtue for every Christian, calling us to entrust ourselves to God and bear witness to him.
Faith in service of others
These ministries and programs may offer ways to serve through Faith. Speak with parish staff about where help is needed, how to prepare, and the parish’s volunteer process.
Prayer ministry
Join the parish’s prayer for the needs of its members and the wider community.
Holy Communion to the sick and homebound
Help parishioners who cannot attend Mass receive Holy Communion through the parish’s ministry to the sick and homebound.
OCIA team support
Serve with the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), the parish process for adults becoming Catholic. Help the team accompany people exploring the faith and preparing to enter the Church.
Resources for learning and preparation
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The Bible in a Year with Fr. Mike Schmitz
A daily journey through the Catholic Bible with readings, prayer and commentary from Fr. Mike Schmitz, offered by Ascension.
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 confidence in Christ that helps others persevere while leaving room for their fear and questions. If no example comes to mind, begin with the experience suggested below.
During a time when the outcome stayed uncertain, how did your reliance on Christ affect someone beside you?
When prayer brings no visible resolution, what sustains your faith and helps you listen honestly to another person’s pain?
Something to try: Stay alongside someone who welcomes prayer during an uncertain time. Over a few conversations, listen and pray together. Ask what helps them remain close to God, notice what sustains your own willingness to accompany them, and bring what remains unresolved to prayer.
Bring this to prayer
Saint Joan of Arc
Come, Holy Spirit. Help me trust Christ when I cannot see what comes next.
Make my presence a source of hope for others, and teach me to welcome their questions with patience.
Saint Joan of Arc, pray for me.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Joan was a young French peasant who helped lead her people during the Hundred Years’ War. Captured and eventually put to death at nineteen, she drew strength from prayer, Mass, Confession, and Holy Communion. Her confidence in Christ helped her encourage people who felt unsure and discouraged, showing how faith can give courage to others even amid opposition and suffering.
More about her life ↗