(Greek: gifts)
A theological term designating certain extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost, granted to individual Christians, not for their personal sanctification, but for the spiritual advantage of others. Saint Paul enumerates most of them in 1 Corinthians 12: the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, the grace of healing, the working of miracles, prophecy, the discerning of spirits, the gift of tongues, interpretation of speeches, and the charismata of apostles, prophets, doctors, helps, governments. They were especially common in the early Church, and were signal aids in the rapid propagation of the Christian religion. Nor have they ever been entirely absent from the Church of Christ, as is evident from the acts of beatification and canonization of saints.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
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