Find My Charism
Before a gathering
You prepare the space or materials so that others can participate.
Service
Completing practical work that makes others’ participation and service possible.
Wondering how this gift may show up in your life? Discover your charisms →
Understanding Service
Service notices practical work that needs doing and helps carry it out for the good of others. The Holy Spirit can work through setting up a room, preparing materials, cleaning, or completing an unfinished task. Its attention is to the work that makes others’ service possible, while Caregiving attends especially to someone’s continuing burdens. Willingness, cooperation, and faithful follow-through let these ordinary tasks share Christ’s love.
Where you may recognize it
Consider the relationships and responsibilities already part of your life.
When something is unfinished
You notice a necessary task and ask how you can help complete it.
Behind the scenes
You follow through on ordinary work even when few people will know who did it.
Jesus washes his disciples’ feet
The image at the top of this page shows Jesus washing his disciples’ feet at the Last Supper, before his Passion and death on the cross. He takes up a servant’s work and gives them an example to follow.
I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.
Jesus washes their feet as the Lord who loves his disciples to the end. His humble action points toward the gift of his life on the cross. Christian service draws on that self-giving love, allowing ordinary tasks to become care for another person.
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.
Catechism 2447
Works of mercy give concrete expression to love of our neighbor.
1 Peter 4:8–11
Those who serve are to rely on the strength God supplies, using their gifts for one another so that God is glorified through Jesus Christ.
Practical ways to serve
These ministries and programs may offer ways to serve through Service. Speak with parish staff about where help is needed, how to prepare, and the parish’s volunteer process.
Funeral meals and receptions
Offer practical care to grieving families by preparing and serving a meal or reception after a funeral. Cooking, bringing food, setting tables and cleaning up are all valuable ways to help.
Prison ministry and support
Share Christ’s love with people in prison and their families through an established ministry. Kairos offers both prepared team roles and outside support such as prayer, baking, artwork and meals.
Art and parish environment
Help prepare the church for liturgical seasons, care for parish materials, or use sewing, woodworking, repair and other practical skills on projects requested by the parish.
Resources for learning and preparation
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Franciscan at Home
Ministry-formation workshops from Franciscan University’s Catechetical Institute for catechists, parish teams and other people serving the Church. Ask your parish or diocese about available formation and 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. Notice the good that necessary tasks make possible and your willingness to return to ordinary work with care. If no example comes to mind, begin with the experience suggested below.
Think of necessary work you have willingly returned to. What did it make possible for others, and what helped you keep offering it with care?
When work goes unnoticed or becomes too much, how do you respond and recognize when to ask for help or adjust your commitment?
Something to try: Ask a group you belong to about a necessary task that needs support. Agree on what you can offer and follow through. Ask the person responsible what it made possible and what would improve the arrangement; reflect on your willingness and capacity before committing again.
Bring this to prayer
Saint Martin de Porres
Come, Holy Spirit. Help me notice the work through which I can care for another person.
Give me a willing heart, patience in ordinary tasks, and freedom from the need to be noticed.
Saint Martin de Porres, pray for me.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Martin was born in Lima, Peru, and learned practical skills as a barber and caregiver before becoming a Dominican brother. He cared for people who were sick or poor and gave himself to work that others could easily overlook. His life shows how ordinary service becomes a way of making Christ’s love known through faithful attention to another person’s needs.
More about his life ↗