What is actual grace?

Actual grace is a supernatural help from God that enlightens the mind and moves the will to shun evil and do good 1 2. It is a transient help given by God for the performance of salutary acts, present only during the action itself 2 3.

Here’s a breakdown of actual grace:

Nature of Actual Grace: Actual grace is a supernatural help of God for salutary acts granted in consideration of the merits of Christ 2. It differs from sanctifying grace, which is a permanent state of holiness, by being a passing influence of God on the soul 2 3. It is specifically intended for actions necessary for eternal salvation 2.

Purpose: Actual grace aids our weakness, supplying the powers needed for supernatural activity, since our nature alone is incapable of performing salutary acts 2. God infuses the light of grace, perfecting us internally for the exercise of virtue 4. This light elevates the mind to understand truths beyond reason and raises our affective power to love God and perform acts that such love requires 4.

How it Works: Actual grace enlightens the mind and moves the will to avoid evil and do good 1. It is a Divine assistance that enables us to perform salutary acts leading to eternal salvation 2.

Why it is Called “Grace”: These gifts or aids are called “graces” because they are given freely by God, exceeding human capacity, and because they make us pleasing to God 4 5. God’s love is the cause of goodness, and He loves those whom He endows with the means to reach Him, their ultimate end 4.

Relation to Sanctifying Grace: Habitual grace, also known as sanctifying grace, is a permanent disposition to live and act in accordance with God’s call, while actual graces are God’s interventions at the beginning of conversion or during sanctification 6. Sanctifying grace makes us participants in God’s trinitarian life and enables us to act by His love 7. Actual graces are distinct from this habitual grace, which remains permanently in us 5.

References

A Catechism of Christian Doctrine (The Baltimore Catechism No. 3) 475 / Third Plenary Council of Baltimore

Catholic Encyclopedia Actual Grace / The Encyclopedia Press

Catholic Encyclopedia Sanctifying Grace / The Encyclopedia Press

Compendium of Theology (Compendium Theologiae) Part I – Chapter 143 / Thomas Aquinas

CCC 2024

CCC 2000

Compendium of the CCC 423 / Promulgated by Pope Benedict XVI

Source: Magisterium AI