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Charism comes from the Greek word meaning "favor" or "grace."
When the word charism is used, it usually refers to a "founding grace," or a means to carry out a specific mission passed on by God to a particular group or person in the church.
Sandra Schneiders, IHM describes charism as:
" ... the ongoing 'deep narrative' developed throughout
the community's history with its attendant
myths and symbols,
outstanding events and persons,
struggles and triumphs,
projects and challenges,
psychology and spirituality
that the group has developed from its origins to the present
and that has become the inner heritage of each member
down through the years
generating among them a shared identity."
( Schneiders, Selling All, p 74, Paulist Press 2001)
"Deep narrative" comes from a theory of charism suggested by Margaret Susan Thompson in "Charism' or 'Deep Story'? Toward a Clearer Understanding of the Growth of Women's Religious Life in Nineteenth Century America."
Quotes used with the permission of Paulist Press.
In the Preface to the Constitutions of the
Dominican Sisters of Houston, Texas we say:
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"Our charism as Houston Dominicans is rooted in the spirit of Saints Dominic and Catherine of Siena.
Communicated to the sisters at St. Rose Priory, this charism found expression in the experiences of our early pioneer sisters in Kentucky and Ohio.
The charism continued to develop from the particular struggles, difficulties and achievements peculiar to southeast Texas where the sisters would make a future home.
These women endured great hardship to announce the good news of Jesus Christ to others. They were characterized by a generous spirit in the midst of simple surroundings. Poverty was ever present alongside hard work and an unquenchable thirst to herald the reign of God.
This is our heritage and our challenge:
'To risk all to proclaim God's Word
through preaching and teaching'."
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