Charism assessment results are considered as starting points for discernment. The assessments themselves and the typical discernment process are often oriented towards evidence of impact to confirm whether something indicated in the results is affirmed through the process. While this is logical and makes sense as a starting point, I have also reflected on what I have come to call quiet charisms--those gifts that we perceive without necessarily having as solid of a sense of confirmation.

A thought that came to mind in prayer previously that I recall again and again is, "Sometimes the fruits are visible, and sometimes they are veiled."

Quiet charisms and their veiled fruits require faith that something is happening even when it is not as evident as the results of exercising more obvious charisms. Through prayer, we can discern whether we ought to keep persevering or whether we are called to focus our time and attention on something else.

In some scenarios, fruits are veiled because we feel prompted to contributing within a community without drawing attention to or revealing that we are intentionally and faithfully doing so. When we observe needs and take action, those who benefit from the thoughtfulness can be unaware of who did the action. Thus, they are not able to provide the feedback or express gratitude, unless we happen to indirectly hear about it.

Another context in which charisms can seem quiet is when we are called to regular actions that seem small, and thus, don't seem like a big deal. Yet, little by little change is occurring, even when it is not as obvious as dramatic, seemingly all at once transformation.

Alternatively, the fruits may be visible eventually. In the meantime, we are required to continue investing when the evidence of impact is long delayed.

Exercising quiet charisms are acts of obedience, those opportunities to perceive a prompting and act with peace without needing to have assurance. They are opportunities to surrender the outcomes, and sometimes even the knowledge of the outcomes.

In light of this, when discerning charisms it is valuable to intentionally cultivate the more obvious charisms while also remembering to allow space for more quiet work to unfold.

Questions for Reflection

1. What have you learned about your charisms? Which seem to be your obvious charisms?

2. Have you perceived any potential quiet charisms in your life? Where do you feel called to invest even though you do not have a clear sense of impact?

3. How might your obvious charisms and the more subtle charisms complement each other?

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