This free spiritual gifts test shows which gifts are strongest in you and where you could use them. Rate 36 short statements; it takes about five minutes. Your three strongest gifts appear at once, with no sign-up and no email.
How the spiritual gifts test works
- 36 statements, three for each of twelve gifts, in mixed order.
- Five answers, from “No” to “Yes”. Answer as you are, not as you would like to be.
- The result names your three strongest gifts, explains each one and suggests places to serve. Below it you see your score for all twelve.
- Nothing is saved or sent. To keep your result, share it to yourself or take a screenshot.
The twelve gifts in this test
The New Testament lists spiritual gifts in several places: Romans 12:6–8, 1 Corinthians 12:4–11 and 12:28, Ephesians 4:11 and 1 Peter 4:9–11. The lists differ, and none claims to be complete. This test uses twelve gifts that are easy to recognize in parish life. Under each gift are three places where it is needed.
Teaching
You help others understand the faith. You like to study, to find the right words and to see the light go on in someone’s face.
- Catechist for children, or for adults who are entering the Church
- Leading a Bible study or a small group
- Preparing parents and godparents for baptism
Romans 12:7; Ephesians 4:11
Service
You see what needs doing and you do it. Your quiet work makes everything else in the parish possible.
- Sacristan, altar server or help with setting up and clearing away
- Driving people to Mass or to the doctor
- Repairs, cleaning and care of the church and its grounds
Romans 12:7; 1 Peter 4:11
Encouragement
You lift people up. You know how to say the word that gives someone the courage to go on.
- Visiting or phoning parishioners who are alone
- Walking with the newly baptized, with couples or with people who grieve
- Sponsor or mentor for a confirmation candidate
Romans 12:8; Acts 4:36
Giving
You give freely and gladly, and you handle money so that there is more to share.
- Supporting a parish project or a family in need
- The St. Vincent de Paul Society or the food bank
- Helping the parish plan and report its finances
Romans 12:8; 2 Corinthians 9:7
Leadership
You see where a group should go and help it get there. People trust you to take things in hand.
- Leading a parish group or committee
- The parish pastoral council
- Starting a ministry that your parish is missing
Romans 12:8; Hebrews 13:7
Mercy
You feel the pain of others and stay close to them. People who are sick, poor or grieving are at ease with you.
- Bringing Holy Communion to the sick and the housebound
- Bereavement ministry and funeral teams
- Hospital, prison or homeless outreach
Romans 12:8; Matthew 25:35–36
Hospitality
You make people welcome. With you, a stranger soon feels at home.
- Greeter or usher at Mass
- Coffee after Mass and parish meals
- Welcoming new parishioners and visitors
Romans 12:13; 1 Peter 4:9
Evangelization
You speak of Christ naturally, and you care about the people who are not there yet.
- Inviting and bringing people to Mass and parish events
- Helping with courses for people who ask about the faith
- Parish missions, street outreach or witness online
Ephesians 4:11; 2 Timothy 4:5
Intercession
You carry others to God in prayer, faithfully and for a long time.
- The parish prayer chain or an intercession group
- Regular hours of Eucharistic adoration
- Writing the Prayers of the Faithful for Mass
Colossians 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:1
Wisdom
You see clearly in tangled situations and give advice that helps.
- The pastoral council or the finance council
- Mentoring younger people or engaged couples
- Accompanying others in the spiritual life, after proper training
1 Corinthians 12:8; James 3:17
Administration
You bring order. You plan, organize and make sure that things really happen.
- Organizing rotas, events and pilgrimages
- Parish office, records and communications
- Coordinating a ministry so that others can serve
1 Corinthians 12:28
Music and the arts
You serve God through beauty: music, art, words or the work of your hands.
- Choir, cantor or instrumentalist
- Flowers, decoration, vestments and the care of sacred things
- Bulletin, website, photography or design for the parish
Exodus 31:3–5; Psalm 33:3
Gifts, charisms and fruits: what is the difference?
Catholics use the word “gifts” for three different things.
| What they are | Who has them | |
|---|---|---|
| The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit | Wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. They make a person ready to follow God’s lead (Isaiah 11:2–3; Catechism 1831). | Every baptized person; they are strengthened in Confirmation. |
| Charisms (the spiritual gifts of this test) | Special graces given for the good of others and for building up the Church (1 Corinthians 12; Catechism 799–801). | Different from person to person. |
| The fruits of the Holy Spirit | Charity, joy, peace, patience and the rest: the marks of a life led by the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23; Catechism 1832). | They grow in everyone who lives by the Spirit. |
Read more about the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit and the twelve fruits.
How to discern your gifts
A test is a first step. The Church asks that charisms be tested before they are trusted (Catechism 801). Five simple steps:
- Pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you where you are needed. The Come, Holy Spirit prayer is a good start.
- Try. Serve for a few months in the area of your strongest result.
- Look at the fruit. Does your service help people? Does it give you joy, even when it tires you?
- Ask others. People who know you, and your pastor, often see your gifts more clearly than you do.
- Keep love first. Charity is the measure of every gift (1 Corinthians 13).
Using the test in a parish or a class
The test fits a confirmation class, a parish council day or a call for volunteers. Everyone takes it on their own phone in five minutes. Then share your three gifts in small groups and ask two questions: where is this gift already at work in our parish, and where is it missing?
Frequently asked questions
Is the spiritual gifts test free?
Yes. There is no account, no email and no payment, and you see the full result at once.
Is a spiritual gifts test Catholic?
Catholics usually speak of charisms. The Second Vatican Council taught that the Holy Spirit gives special graces to the faithful of every rank (Lumen Gentium 12), and the Catechism asks that they be received with thanks and tested by the Church’s pastors (799–801). A list of questions cannot replace that, but it helps you take the first step.
What are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit?
Wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. Every Christian receives them; they are not what this test measures.
Can my gifts change?
Your result can change over the years. Gifts are given for the needs of a time and a place, and a gift that is used grows.
What if my scores are all about the same?
Then try things out. Pick one of your top results, serve there for a season, and ask the people around you what they see.