Sanctifying Grace

Sanctifying grace is a gift that God infuses into the soul and that remains there permanently. It transforms man in depth and establishes him in a new condition, that of a child of God: he becomes holy before him, pleasing in his eyes, able to live by the very life of God.

Saint Peter gives its highest formula, that of a man raised above his natural condition: “He has granted us to become partakers of the divine nature.” 2 Peter 1:4

A sharing in the life of God

Sanctifying grace differs from every natural gift. It raises man to a new order, that of divine life, and makes him a child of God in the proper sense, born of him by adoption: “To all who received him, he gave power to become children of God.” John 1:12

The baptised receives the Spirit of the Son, who turns him toward the Father and makes him heir of eternal life: to see God face to face and to share for ever in the glory of Christ.

What it produces in the soul

With sanctifying grace, God himself comes to dwell in the soul. The Trinity makes its home there, and the love of God is poured out in it through the Holy Spirit: “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” John 14:23

With it are infused the theological virtues, faith, hope and charity, together with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The soul receives the means to know, to hope in and to love God in a way that surpasses its own powers: “The love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:5

Received, increased, lost, restored

Sanctifying grace is received for the first time at baptism. It then grows through the sacraments, prayer and works of charity, which cause it to increase in the soul. Mortal sin causes its loss, and the soul recovers it through the sacrament of penance, which fully restores it.

It is distinguished from actual grace, which is a passing help from God to accomplish a particular act, the awakening of a good thought, the strength of a right choice. Actual grace helps one to act; sanctifying grace transforms one's very being, and makes man a child of God.