A bird can only live one life—its natural life, and the same is true for all living creatures on earth. As human beings we also live a natural life. But as children of God, we also live another life—a “supernatural” life called the Life of Grace: A sharing in the life of God Himself.
What is Grace?
Grace is a supernatural gift from God bestowed on us through the merits of Jesus Christ for our salvation.
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Grace is a favor, a free gift, granted to us--though we have no claim to it. God grants us graces because He is good, not because we deserve them. God grants us graces for the sake of His Son, Who died on the cross to earn for us these graces; we can never merit these graces.
"All have sinned and have need of the Glory of God. They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption which is in Christ" (Rom. 3:23-24)
Sanctifying grace is that grace which confers on our soul a new life, that is, a sharing in the life of God Himself.
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By sanctifying grace, our souls are made holy and pleasing to God. It is a permanent grace, which we gain through baptism, and lose only by mortal sin.
A soul to whom God grants "sanctifying grace" receives not merely a gift from God, but God Himself. The soul receives a new life and a new nature.
One cannot gain any merit for heaven as long as he is not in sanctifying grace, (what is termed "in the state of grace.") Mortal sin makes the soul displeasing to God, and thus deprives the soul of sanctifying grace. Without sanctifying grace one is an enemy of God, and cannot enter His kingdom. Without sanctifying grace the soul is without God.
The CHIEF EFFECTS of sanctifying grace are four:
First, it makes us holy and pleasing to God.—When we are in possession of sanctifying grace we are free from mortal sin; the two cannot dwell together. Sanctifying grace strengthens our will, so that for us the war against sin becomes easier.
Second, it makes us adopted children of God.—With sanctifying grace, the Holy Spirit enters our soul; we are led by His Spirit, and are therefore His children.
Third, it makes us temples of the Holy Spirit.—Sanctifying grace brings the Holy Spirit to dwell in us as in a temple. St. Paul says, "for you are the the temple of the Living God" (2 Cor. 6:16)
Fourth, it gives us the right to heaven.—When we are in the state of sanctifying grace, we are inspired to do good works. The Holy Spirit does not sleep within us but expands our heart with His grace, and urges our will to do good. And as we are adopted children of God, such actions become meritorious for heaven.
Actual grace is a supernatural help of God which enlightens our mind and strengthens our will to do good and to avoid evil.
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By actual grace the Holy Spirit shows us the emptiness of earthly things. He makes us see our own sins, and the true goal of life. By it we can perform a virtuous act or reject a temptation.
Actual grace is transient; that is, it is given to us only when we need it, to perform a good act, or to overcome a temptation.
Is actual grace NECESSARY FOR ALL who have attained the use of reason?
Actual grace is necessary for all who have attained the use of reason, because without it we cannot long resist the power of temptation, nor perform other actions which merit a reward in heaven.
1. We all need actual grace. Sinners need it to rise from sin. The just need it to persevere in good. Without grace we fall into sin.
2. Grace is given to all men---although not in equal amounts. Some receive more, some less. Some ordinary graces are granted to all men; certain extraordinary graces are granted to chosen ones.
God is free to bestow His gifts as He likes. The Blessed Virgin Mary received more than other mortals. Christians receive more than pagans. Those in the state of grace are likely to receive more than those in the state of mortal sin. In a way, our graces depend also on our dispositions.
What are the PRINCIPAL WAYS of obtaining grace?
The principal ways of obtaining grace are prayer and the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist.
The sacraments of Baptism and Penance (Confession) give grace to those not possessing it; the other sacraments INCREASE GRACE in those already in the state of grace.
1. Actual grace is obtained by good works. It is especially obtained by the use of means offered by the Church, such as offering Mass, listening to sermons, etc., and receiving the sacraments, particularly the Holy Eucharist, which contains God, the Source of Grace.
Although we cannot merit grace by our good works, still our good works can beg God for us, to give us grace. Good works are necessary, for God will not save us without our cooperation.
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CAN WE RESIST the grace of God?
We can resist the grace of God, for our will is free, and God does not force us to accept His grace.
1. Grace does not force us. It leaves us FREE TO CHOOSE between good and evil. The Holy Spirit guides and enlightens us, but we can still close our eyes to His grace. If we cooperate we gain other graces.
2. We should be on the lookout for the graces of God, ready to accept them as soon as they are offered. The action of the Holy Spirit on the individual soul is not continuous in particular graces, we must be ready when He comes with special gifts.
Some receive only one summons to the banquet. In the desert, the Israelites who rose late found the manna melted away. There are times of special grace for the Christian, such as Lent, a retreat, etc.
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How can we make our MOST ORDINARY ACTIONS merit a heavenly reward?
We can make our most ordinary actions merit a heavenly reward by doing them for the love of God, and by keeping ourselves in the state of grace.
1. God grants us the right to a heavenly reward for the most ordinary good actions in the supernatural order, provided we are in the state of grace. God does not ask us to do extraordinary things. If we do the most ordinary tasks of the day, like cooking, studying, doing small chores, carpentry work, sewing, and such, in a spirit of love and obedience to Him, our acts will deserve merit before God's eyes.
1. By mortal sin one loses the merit he has gained from his good actions. It is necessary that he regain the state of grace before he can regain merit. To regain God's friendship, we must be sorry for our sins, make a good confession, and resolve to never displease Him again. Then God will give us back the gift of His grace and love, and the merit of all our good works.
BAPTISMThose who through no fault of their own have not received the sacrament of Baptism can be saved through what is called baptism of blood: when the unbaptized suffer martyrdom for Christ; or baptism of desire: when one loves God above all things, though they are ignorant of Christ.
And Jesus coming forth, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. Go therefore, and teach all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (Matt. 28:18-19)
PENANCE (CONFESSION)Sins committed after Baptism are forgiven in the sacrament of Penance. Sin is the sickness of the soul, and serious sin (Mortal Sin) destroys our Life of Grace. Through the sacrament of Penance we are healed from injuries that our Life of Grace may have suffered. A good confession must include: (1) Contrition: great sorrow for our sins (revealed by memory and prayer). (2) Confession: telling all sins to a priest. (3) Penance: doing what the priest prescribes (4) A firm purpose of amendment: resolve to avoid sin.
Guide for making a good confession
HOLY EUCHARISTThe Holy Eucharist is a sacrament and a sacrifice in which Our Savior Jesus Christ, body and blood, soul and divinity, is contained, offered, and received under the appearance of bread and wine. The Holy Eucharist is also called the Blessed Sacrament, because it is the most excellent of all sacraments. It gives us Christ Himself. It is called the Sacrament of the Altar because it is consecrated and reserved upon an altar. It is offered up on the altar in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The Holy Eucharist is called Holy Communion when it is received, usually in church. It is called Holy Viaticum when it is received during a serious illness, or at the hour of death.
In the Holy Eucharist, Jesus Christ is present wholly, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. We are bound to render the Holy Eucharist the same adoration and honor due to God Himself.
CONFIRMATIONConfirmation is the sacrament through which a baptized person receives the Holy Spirit in a special way, strengthening the Life of Grace and enables us to profess our faith as strong and perfect Christians and soldiers of Jesus Christ. Through Confirmation we are more closely bound to the Church, spreading and defending the faith as true witnesses of Christ, whereby we become concerned not only for our own spiritual needs, but for those of others.
In the sacrament of Confirmation the soul receives the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit:
WISDOM, UNDERSTANDING, COUNSEL, FORTITUDE, KNOWLEDGE, PIETY, FEAR OF THE LORD
HOLY MATRIMONYHoly Matrimony is the sacrament by which a baptized man and woman bind themselves for life for their mutual good and for the procreation and education of children. Through this sacrament husband and wife receive the grace to help them bear the difficulties of married life and to fulfill its aim. God instituted marriage for the mutual exchange of love, fidelity and comfort between a husband and wife, to prepare a sound foundation for the rearing of a new human being; the married couple participates in God’s creation of new souls with which He wishes to populate heaven.
HOLY ORDERSHoly Orders is the sacrament through which men receive the power and grace to perform the sacred duties of bishops, priests, and deacons. Through the authority of the Church, the imposition of a bishop’s hands confers on a man the grace and spiritual power to celebrate the Church’s sacraments and the power to forgive sins. “As the Father has sent me, I also send you...whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and those whose sins you shall retain, they are retained” (John 20:21-23) Holy Orders imparts a special indelible character, a mark that God sees on the human soul and remains for all eternity, identifying him as one of God’s ordained servants.
ANOINTING OF THE SICK (EXTREME UNCTION)The sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is administered to bring spiritual and even bodily strength during serious sickness, especially near the time of death. Also referred to as Extreme Unction, the special grace of this sacrament has as its effects: the strengthening, peace, and courage to endure suffering, and it prepares the soul for passing over to eternal life. These graces flow from the atoning death of Jesus Christ, uniting of the sick person to the passion of Christ, for his own good and that of the entire Church. “Is any one among you sick? Let him bring in the presbyters of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he be in sins, they shall be forgivem him.” (James 5:14-15)
This site is dedicated to St. Joseph
