The word charism is based on the Greek word charis, which means “gift,” i.e., of the Holy Spirit given to mankind who is individually and collectively created in God’s image to function and grow in the likeness of God. The particular charism of any member of the Body of Christ is an expression of the ongoing ministry of Jesus, begun in the Incarnation and now manifest in and through that individual or collective expression of the Church in the power of the Spirit for the life of the world. While any particular charism is an unearned, divine gift given by grace, at the same a charism must and can be cultivated as an ever-expandable capacity or ability.
Also see Capacity, and Genius.