Hey Deacon!

A couple of weeks ago, I was co‑leading an OCIA session on the theme of prayer: how we speak to God personally, the rich variety of prayer in the Christian life, and the beauty of our Catholic traditions. It was one of those evenings where the conversation flowed easily, and the Holy Spirit was truly at work among us.

As often happens when we explore the topic of prayer, someone eventually asks about the Church’s teaching on speaking in tongues. The question surfaces from time to time, especially because some Protestant communities, particularly Pentecostal denominations, hold that speaking in tongues is a sign that a person has been “baptized in the Holy Spirit.” That naturally leads to a deeper and important question: What does the Catholic Church actually say about this charismatic, Spirit‑filled gift?

The Catholic Church recognizes speaking in tongues as one of the spiritual gifts, or charisms, mentioned by St. Paul. These gifts are freely given by the Holy Spirit for the good of the Church, not as signs of superior holiness or as requirements for every Christian. The Church therefore neither rejects the genuine charism nor teaches that all Catholics should seek or possess it.

In Scripture, “tongues” can refer to different realities. At Pentecost, the Apostles spoke languages understood by people from many nations. In Corinth, however, St. Paul describes a form of prayer or inspired speech that was not understood without interpretation (1 Cor 14). The precise nature of each biblical instance is not entirely clear.

St. Paul provides the essential rule: charismatic gifts must serve edification, order, and charity. Speaking in tongues may be helpful in personal prayer, but in a public Christian gathering it should be accompanied by interpretation so that the community can understand and be strengthened. If no interpretation is available, the person should remain silent in the assembly and pray privately.

The Church also insists on discernment. A claimed gift must be consistent with Catholic doctrine, exercised humbly, and evaluated according to its fruits. Pope St. Paul VI taught that spiritual gifts must be tested according to fidelity to the faith, service of the common good, and charity. Whatever contradicts the Church’s faith cannot come from the Holy Spirit.

Speaking in tongues should therefore never become a test of whether someone has received the Holy Spirit. Nor should it be used to pressure people, attract attention, disrupt worship, or create divisions. The greatest gift is charity. As Pope St. John Paul II reminded us, St. Paul preferred gifts that directly build up  the community and placed love above every other charism.

In Catholic prayer gatherings, this gift can be used when the pastor or prayer leaders judge it appropriate. The Church encourages openness to the Holy Spirit while also reminding us to remain grounded in good order and respect for those who guide the community. Extraordinary gifts are not something we try to force or chase after, and when they do appear, the Church helps discern whether they are genuine and how they should be used.

In short: the Church permits and respects genuine speaking in tongues, but it is neither necessary nor a measure of holiness. It must be guided by Catholic doctrine, ecclesial authority, humility, order, and love.