The gift of tongues is a divine and miraculous ability given by the Holy Spirit that transcends human understanding and language. From the days of the early Church to modern experiences, the power of speaking in tongues continues to manifest in astonishing ways.
Historical Miracles: St. Anthony of Padua
In The Little Flowers of St. Francis, written by Brother Ugolino, we read about St. Anthony of Padua. While preaching before the Pope and a gathering of cardinals from various nations—Greeks, Latins, French, Germans, Slavs, and English—St. Anthony, filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke so effectively that everyone heard him in their own language, just like at Pentecost (Acts 2).
People marveled:
“Is he not a Spaniard? How then are we all hearing him in our native tongues?”
He preached in Italian and French without ever studying them. Even the simplest listeners understood him clearly, and his voice carried to great distances—a testimony to the Spirit’s power.
St. Dominic’s Experience
St. Dominic, a major promoter of the Holy Rosary, once prayed with Brother Bertrand for the ability to speak in German while ministering. Miraculously, after their prayer, they were able to communicate fluently—though he asked Bertrand to keep it secret to avoid being glorified.
Padre Pio and the Power of Tongues
In Padre Pio: The True Story by C. Bernard Ruffin, Prince Karl Klugkist—a former occultist—confessed to Padre Pio. During the confession, Pio prayed in an unknown language:
“Adainanda… nanda…”
This left such a spiritual impact that Karl abandoned mysticism, became a priest, and lived as Fra Pio, a holy man of God.
Modern-Day Testimonies
1. Traffic Jam Miracle in Kerala
A lay minister once shared how, during a severe traffic jam in Trivandrum, he began praying in tongues. As he uttered the unfamiliar words “Tania, Breheq, Tania,” arguments ceased, and the jam cleared within minutes. A true act of divine intervention!
2. Online Worship and Tongues
During a 72-hour livestream worship session, a Malayalam-speaking prayer leader began singing in tongues. Later, German viewers confirmed that they heard him in German, understanding every word—without the speaker knowing their language!
3. A Father’s Midnight Prayer
Awakened by the Holy Spirit, a father prayed in tongues for hours, not knowing why. The next day, he learned that his daughter survived a fatal accident. The car was wrecked, but she lived—a miracle he attributed to the Spirit’s intercession.
Understanding the Gift
The gift of tongues is not just an ancient phenomenon. It is a living, breathing miracle of the Holy Spirit—offered to those who yield in prayer and faith. It’s a mystery that surpasses logic, yet its impact is undeniable.
Final Thoughts
Whether it’s through the voice of a saint, a modern-day believer in traffic, or a desperate parent interceding for a child—the gift of tongues is real, powerful, and active.
“All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses” (1 Corinthians 12:11).
