* It is the gift of awakening people to the love of God, of conquering fear and bringing true freedom where it is not found. It is setting loose the spirit of Gospel liberation - the power to free people from darkness, bringing them from injustice to justice, from hurt to healing, from a lack of direction to purpose and meaning, from sinfulness to reconciliation, from restlessness to peace.

* It is the gift of being able to go straight to the heart, of touching that which is essential, significant, important. It is the gift of breaking open the Gospel to bring about a deep and lasting change in the hearts of those who listen.

* It is also the spirit of prophetic preaching which names the darkness that may envelop us, that hastens to warn of danger, that seeks repentance, that stands up for justice's sake, that is not afraid to die for the Kingdom of God.

* This is the charism of Alphonsus - reaching out to the neglected, speaking simply and with conviction of the healing love of God, letting compassion be our attitude to all.