Gift of miracles

Catholicism

In Catholicism, the gift of miracles is understood as an extraordinary manifestation of divine grace, channeled through the Holy Spirit’s intercession. This power is granted to select individuals to make Christ’s teaching believable and to strengthen the faith of believers. While all miracles ultimately originate from God, Saint Michael the Archangel and other angels are thought to carry them out in three ways on behalf of the Holy Trinity. Roman Catholic priests and bishops assist in this process through specific actions: offering prayers that seek a miraculous outcome, such as in the Suffrage Mass; preparing or arranging physical materials, similar to how angels are said to gather dust from remains for the resurrection of bodies; or cooperating with divine mercy in other ways, like using relics or guiding visits to holy sites where God has promised special favors.

Like other charismata, these abilities are rare and extraordinary, given by God to a few people mainly for the spiritual benefit of others, not the recipient. The gift of thaumaturgy concerns Jesus’ miracles and the passing of divine grace through Apostolic succession. Similarly, priests and bishops administer the Anointing of the Sick by laying hands with holy chrism, a practice governed by the Ordo Unctionis Infirmorum eorumque Pastoralis Curae and the De Benedictionibus of the Roman Ritual, though this sacrament does not guarantee healing. Additionally, saints can intercede to bring about divine grace through prayer and pious acts like works of mercy.

Pentecostals and Charismatics

In Pentecostal and Charismatic belief, God still works this gift through faithful believers empowered by the Holy Spirit. It does not turn a person into a miracle worker, since God alone performs the miracle. This spiritual gift is meant to serve and spiritually benefit others, not the recipient. Miraculous events always carry a lesson or a sign from God.