Charism

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Main article: Charisma

[edit] Religious meaning

A charism (plural: charismata) is a power, generally of a spiritual nature, believed to be a freely given gift by the grace of God. In the study of church matters, it also refers to the particular grace granted by God to religious founders and their organization which distinguish them from other organizations within the same church. This is specially used in Catholic Church ecclesiology.

From the Greek, charis - grace.

Well known Charismatic powers in Christian traditions:

[edit] Social meaning

The word is also used in social psychology in secular circumstances, and takes the meaning of personal influence on other people individually or as a group.