Ep 133 - What's the Deal with Tongues?

On this episode of Charisms for Catholics, host Jill Simons takes a deep dive into one of the most misunderstood topics within the Catholic charismatic movement: the gift of tongues. Jill demystifies the confusion around the term "tongues" by breaking it down into clear categories—praying in tongues, speaking in tongues, and the charism of interpreting tongues. She explains the differences between personal gifts for prayer and edification versus charisms given for the good of the wider community. You'll learn: - How praying in tongues and speaking in tongues differ—and why that matters. - Where these gifts show up (or don't!) in church life, scripture, and the Charismatic Renewal movement. - Why some gifts, like administration and hospitality, are just as charismatic as the more "showy" ones. - Common myths and misunderstandings about charismatic spirituality in the Catholic Church. Whether you're curious, skeptical, or already involved in charismatic prayer, this episode offers both clarity and encouragement for discovering the many ways the Holy Spirit is moving in the Church today. 00:28- Jill is excited to finally devote a whole episode to the topic of tongues, clarifying the confusion and terminology around it. 01:57- She explains "praying in tongues" as a personal spiritual gift for edification, not a charism, and distinguishes it from prophecy. 03:12- The difference between praying and speaking in tongues is outlined—speaking in tongues is a charism intended for others, while praying is for personal use. 04:19- Examples from Pentecost are discussed, where the apostles' speaking in different tongues is considered a supernatural means of communication. 05:02- She covers speaking in unknown languages (glossolalia) and the separate charism of interpreting tongues within the community. 08:47- Jill addresses misconceptions about the Charismatic Renewal, noting it tends to focus on a few charisms, but stresses the need to recognize and broaden the understanding of all charisms within the Church. Learn more about charisms and charism discernment at https://manypartsministries.com.