For some people, the gifts of Spirit relate to supernatural powers that were given to prophets and sages millennia ago and have ceased to exist since the times of Christian antiquity. For many others, the gifts of Spirit not only happened millennia ago, but still happen today. And not just for extraordinary people or members of religious hierarchy, but to them personally.

Each of us is born with spiritual gifts. Whether we have been bestowed with one gift of the Spirit or an entire grocery shopping list of them, I believe they have been bestowed upon us in order that we might in our own way, bring Heaven to earth.

To the Church of Rome, I am known as a ‘sensitive’ or a ‘seer’. My ability to see, feel and hear what lies beyond the veil of the physical realm, has garnered this title for me. In the early 90’s, after much rigorous and time consuming paperwork, a written essay and an interview by my spiritual director, I was deemed to be, “one of them.”

Like most Catholic children, I spent many years attending religious Catechism classes at my local parish. Being a member of a military family, the parish changed many times over, but one thing remained constant; no one ever spoke about the Charismata, also known as the gifts of Spirit. As a young child, I assumed everyone could see beautiful Angels and those who had crossed over, or what I call, those who had gone Home. Increasingly however, I came to understand that what my parents and priests called an overactive imagination, set me apart from most of the children my age. By the time I reached adolescence, I began to ask the questions; “Who am I? What am I? Why am I this way?” Until I spoke with my 8th grade Confirmation priest, no one could give me so much as a hint to the answers I was seeking.

Ironically, the answers to those very questions could be found in the Catholic Confirmation name that I chose as a 15 year old girl. The Sacrament of Confirmation requires each student to select the name of a saint that they are fond of, or one with honorable attributes they wish to emulate as they themselves grow into adulthood. I selected the name Catherine Terese. Unbeknownst to me at the time, both St. Catherine of Siena, and St. Teresa of Lisieux, were profoundly gifted by Spirit. Both were known as seers and mystics of the Church. At the age of 33, thanks to my spiritual director who encouraged me to study them, I finally learned that they too, could see Angels and those who had gone Home. Not only that, but there were dozens of other Christian mystics just like them, who were revered for their psychic gifts.

“With every gift of Spirit comes great responsibility, Catherine Terese.” Those were the words of my Confirmation priest, when I asked him about my ability to ‘see’. In the 30 years since our very short conversation, I have come understand what he meant. Those who share their charismatic gifts with others know too. Each of us is held responsible for the knowledge we hold, and the way in which we use our knowledge.

When my dear friend Sister Irene asked her mentor, Father Mike, about my abilities in 2008, he asked her three simple questions: “Was the information Denise gave you correct, Irene? Were the messages uplifting to your spirit? Most importantly, did she use her gifts with love?” Irene answered in the affirmative. He gently replied, “Then she is indeed, what we call a sensitive.”

What are the gifts of Spirit? A concise list of them can be found in the Christian Bible in 1st Corinthians v. 1 - 12:

Word of Wisdom/Messages of Wisdom
Word of Knowledge/Messages of Knowledge
Faith
Gifts of Healing
Miracles/Miraculous Powers
Prophecy
Discernment of Spirits/Distinguishing of Spirits
Speaking in Tongues/Interpretation of Tongues

Now a Coptic minister, I find myself more than ever, counseling people, much like myself, who have often wondered about the subtle and sometimes profound spiritual experiences in their lives. In 2007, Sister Irene helped edit my book, “Embracing the Mystic Within,” which deals with these questions, and the questions that many people have about what is some times termed, the New Age.

Whether your Gift is singular, or your Gifts are many, remember…they are a Gift from Mother and Father God that you might bring Heaven to earth and realize Heaven within yourself.

By realizing Heaven within, you create Heaven without.

Although very few modern day mystics live a monastic life within the confines of medieval abbey walls, we can create a holy place to commune with the Gifts of our inner mystic right where we are each and every day.

Through the process of creating a sacred space for yourself, whether indoors or out, you invite the Divine to be present and alive in your life. Daily prayer, meditation or silent contemplation in this sacred space will provide you with a direct connect to the Source of all Gifts, revealing the mystic within you. In the act of acknowledging the Divine spark within you and your connection the Divine spark in all living things, miracles are born.

By embracing the miracle of you, you come to remember that you are an emanation of the Greatest Gift, and that the greatest gift from Spirit is you!

In joy,

~Denise