Did you know there are spiritual gifts for analytical thinkers? The spiritual gift of knowledge explicitly empowers individuals to deepen their understanding of God's workings. Using their gifts in analytical thinking can contribute to building the Church.

As Catholics, we are blessed with a rich tapestry of saints who have lived diverse lives, each contributing uniquely to the body of Christ. In Episode 89 of Charisms for Catholics, host Jill Simons and guest Theresa Zoe Williams delve into the Charism of Knowledge and highlight three saints who exemplify this spiritual gift. Let's explore their contributions and learn how they synthesized information for the greater glory of God. Blessed Carlo Acutis: The Modern Tech-Apostle Blessed Carlo Acutis is a recent example of someone with the Charism of Knowledge. Born in the 1990s, Carlo was a millennial who had an extraordinary grasp of both spiritual and technological knowledge. His most notable contribution was cataloging Eucharistic miracles on a website, making this profound aspect of faith accessible to modern believers. Carlo’s dedication to cataloging over 100 Eucharistic miracles from across the globe showcases his unique ability to synthesize information from diverse sources. By leveraging technology, he made important spiritual knowledge accessible to anyone with an internet connection. His work continues to inspire Eucharistic devotion and offers a compelling model for utilizing knowledge in today’s digital age. Saint Alphonsus Liguori: The Scholarly Shepherd Venturing back a few centuries, Saint Alphonsus Liguori provides another sterling example of someone blessed with the Charism of Knowledge. Initially a successful lawyer, Alphonsus grew disillusioned with the secular world's instability. He renounced his legal career to become a priest and focused on theological, moral, and ascetic writings. Alphonsus’ ability to synthesize vast amounts of information and make it understandable is evident through his theological and moral teachings. His significant contributions to Catholic theology earned him the title of Doctor of the Church. As Jill Simons and Theresa Zoe Williams noted, the Charism of Knowledge often accompanies other charisms, such as writing. Saint Alphonsus exemplifies how deep intellectual understanding can be transmitted to broader audiences effectively. Saint Jerome: The Biblically Brilliant Finally, we travel back to the 4th and 5th centuries to meet Saint Jerome, a giant of ecclesiastical history. Known for his somewhat crotchety temperament, Jerome’s lifetime of studying Latin, Greek, and Hebrew culminated in his immense work: translating the Bible into Latin, known as the Vulgate. Jerome's grasp of various languages and his intellectual rigor allowed him to make the scriptures accessible to the average Christian in a way that had never been done before. Despite his challenging personality, his scholarly contributions have had a lasting impact on Christianity. His life shows that the Charism of Knowledge is not just about gathering information but making it available in a way that people can use and understand. Grace Builds on Nature An essential takeaway from these saints is how grace builds upon our natural abilities. God uniquely designs each of us, and through baptism, grace can elevate our natural talents. Jerome, for instance, had extensive intellectual capabilities even before his conversion; these were exponentially magnified once he aligned himself fully with God’s will. Conclusion Each of these saints—Blessed Carlo Acutis, Saint Alphonsus Liguori, and Saint Jerome—demonstrates the Charism of Knowledge in different ways, but all serve the same purpose: to build up the Church and make God’s wisdom accessible to others. By studying their lives, we can gain insight into how to harness our own charisms and contribute uniquely to our community.