The Gift of Words

A gratuitous grace is one given less for the benefit of the person who receives it than for the benefit of others. Such a grace is the gift of effective speaking for the benefit and enlightenment of souls. The gift of tongues makes understood the knowledge that is expressed; the gift of words makes the expression effective in convincing and converting souls. St. Gregory*(Hom.* xxx in Ev.) says: “Unless the Holy Ghost fill the hearts of those who hear, the teacher’s voice sounds vainly in their bodily ears.”

The grace of the word of God to be preached publicly to the faithful of the Church, is given to men, not to women.