A Review of Actual GraceA Review of Actual Grace Definition: “those graces which dispose or move Definition: “those graces which dispose or move

in a transient manner for doing or receiving in a transient manner for doing or receiving something in regard to eternal life” (Royo, 41). It something in regard to eternal life” (Royo, 41). It comes with sanctifying grace under the division comes with sanctifying grace under the division of graces entitled of graces entitled gratia gratum faciensgratia gratum faciens, as , as opposed to the other division, opposed to the other division, gratia gratis datagratia gratis data..

““[Actual graces] refer to God’s interventions, [Actual graces] refer to God’s interventions, whether at the beginning of conversion or in the whether at the beginning of conversion or in the course of the work of sanctification” (course of the work of sanctification” (CCCCCC 2000). 2000). “God also acts through many actual graces, to be “God also acts through many actual graces, to be distinguished from habitual grace which is distinguished from habitual grace which is permanent in us” (permanent in us” (CCCCCC 2024). 2024).

Actual graces are ordained toward the infused habitsActual graces are ordained toward the infused habits To receive them when the soul does not have themTo receive them when the soul does not have them To put the infused habits in motion when the soul To put the infused habits in motion when the soul

already possesses themalready possesses them

Actual Graces are received Actual Graces are received into the faculties of the into the faculties of the

soulsoul

Elevating them to produce Elevating them to produce indeliberateindeliberate supernatural acts supernatural acts ((gratia operansgratia operans))

Elevating them to produce Elevating them to produce deliberatedeliberate supernatural acts supernatural acts ((gratia co-operansgratia co-operans).).

Differences between Differences between habitual grace and habitual grace and sanctifying gracesanctifying grace

Habitual Grace – Habitual Grace – permanentpermanent qualities qualities which work effects in a continual and which work effects in a continual and indefectible mannerindefectible manner

actual grace – actual grace – transienttransient qualities whose qualities whose final effect is often frustratedfinal effect is often frustrated

Habitual Grace – Habitual Grace – disposesdisposes the faculties the faculties of the soul for actionof the soul for action

actual grace – actual grace – promptsprompts and and producesproduces the the act itselfact itself

Virtues and gifts – have a Virtues and gifts – have a restricted restricted areaarea in which they reside and function in which they reside and function (i.e. certain faculties or powers)(i.e. certain faculties or powers)

actual grace – extend to the actual grace – extend to the entire domainentire domain of the supernatural lifeof the supernatural life

Necessity of Actual GraceNecessity of Actual Grace Only God who produced the infused Only God who produced the infused

supernatural habits in the soul can set supernatural habits in the soul can set them in motion.them in motion.

This cannot be achieved by a simple natural This cannot be achieved by a simple natural impulse – a natural impulse cannot move a impulse – a natural impulse cannot move a supernatural disposition. A supernatural supernatural disposition. A supernatural disposition is required.disposition is required.

To reduce a potency to act requires a being To reduce a potency to act requires a being already in motion, in the natural order. already in motion, in the natural order. The same holds true in the supernatural The same holds true in the supernatural order.order.

God who is Pure Act acts upon the soul’s God who is Pure Act acts upon the soul’s supernatural potenciessupernatural potencies

Actual grace is the divine influence which Actual grace is the divine influence which moves the infused habit to its operationmoves the infused habit to its operation

The Division of Actual The Division of Actual GracesGraces

1.Operating grace vs. co-operating grace2.Gratia excitans vs. gratia adjuvans3.Prevenient grace vs. concomitant

grace4.Internal grace vs. external grace5.Sufficient grace vs. efficacious grace6.Grace of illumination vs. grace of

inspiration7.Direct grace vs. indirect grace

Functions of Actual Functions of Actual GraceGrace

Disposes the soul to receive the Disposes the soul to receive the infused habits of sanctifying grace infused habits of sanctifying grace and the virtuesand the virtues

when the soul hasn’t yet possessed when the soul hasn’t yet possessed themthem

when the soul has lost them through when the soul has lost them through mortal sin’mortal sin’

grace of repentancegrace of repentance grace of fearing punishmentgrace of fearing punishment grace of placing confidence in God’s mercygrace of placing confidence in God’s mercy

Actuates the infused habits Actuates the infused habits together with sanctifying gracetogether with sanctifying grace

perfects the infused virtuesperfects the infused virtues increases sanctifying graceincreases sanctifying grace

Prevents the loss of infused habits Prevents the loss of infused habits through mortal sinthrough mortal sin

Strengthens the soul in the face of Strengthens the soul in the face of temptationstemptations

Gives warnings in the face of dangerGives warnings in the face of danger Inspires by means of good and holy Inspires by means of good and holy

thoughtsthoughts Inspires mortificationInspires mortification

Fidelity to Actual GraceFidelity to Actual Grace

Two componentsTwo components Inspiration – just the opposite Inspiration – just the opposite

of the dynamic of temptationof the dynamic of temptation Response – the place where Response – the place where

fidelity residesfidelity resides

The Necessary Components The Necessary Components of our Responseof our Response

AttentionAttention need for interior recollection – the voice of the need for interior recollection – the voice of the

Holy Spirit is subtle and we need interior silence Holy Spirit is subtle and we need interior silence and attentiveness. Dissipation is an obstacle to and attentiveness. Dissipation is an obstacle to perceiving the Holy Spirit’s inspirations.perceiving the Holy Spirit’s inspirations.

Need for mortification – our sensuality causes Need for mortification – our sensuality causes static in the souls’ perception of graces and can static in the souls’ perception of graces and can be more inclined to listen to the pleasures that be more inclined to listen to the pleasures that the senses providethe senses provide

Need for a purified love – our affections and love Need for a purified love – our affections and love of self provide a pull away from Holy Spirit and of self provide a pull away from Holy Spirit and towards egoism, thus filtering inspirations from towards egoism, thus filtering inspirations from Holy Spirit and not hearing those which beckon Holy Spirit and not hearing those which beckon toward self-effacementtoward self-effacement

Discretion – one needs to recognize Discretion – one needs to recognize which inspirations are divine and which inspirations are divine and which originate from another sourcewhich originate from another source

examine the holiness or lack thereof of the examine the holiness or lack thereof of the object of inspirationobject of inspiration

Is the inspiration in conformity with one’s Is the inspiration in conformity with one’s state of life?state of life?

Peace and tranquility of soul should be Peace and tranquility of soul should be present at reception of inspirationpresent at reception of inspiration

One should manifest humble obedience to One should manifest humble obedience to the laws of God and to one’s legitimate the laws of God and to one’s legitimate superiorssuperiors

One should submit to the judgment of a One should submit to the judgment of a spiritual director when the inspiration is of spiritual director when the inspiration is of greater gravitygreater gravity

DocilityDocility Promptly follow the Promptly follow the

inspiration, once recognizing inspiration, once recognizing that it is from God; do not that it is from God; do not wait for the inspiration to wait for the inspiration to returnreturn

““Rules of the Road”Rules of the Road”

Some “Rules of the Road” on the Some “Rules of the Road” on the Spiritual Journey (Spiritual Journey (Postulant’s Postulant’s

ManualManual, CJC), CJC) To those who ask, God never denies To those who ask, God never denies

grace...But you must ask and that means grace...But you must ask and that means you must pray for them.you must pray for them.

God never commands you to do the God never commands you to do the impossible...If he asks you to do it, He will impossible...If he asks you to do it, He will offer you the grace to get it done.offer you the grace to get it done.

God never imposes Himself on anyone...If God never imposes Himself on anyone...If you get it you must want it.you get it you must want it.

Ask God for the grace to see what you Ask God for the grace to see what you should do...But before you ask, tell Him should do...But before you ask, tell Him you will do it.you will do it.

Be sensitive to actual Be sensitive to actual graces...Respond to them on the graces...Respond to them on the spot.spot.

When actual graces do not seem to When actual graces do not seem to be there...pray for them.be there...pray for them.

When you pray for them, be When you pray for them, be confident...but humble.confident...but humble.

Your prayer for actual graces for Your prayer for actual graces for others is no less strong as prayer others is no less strong as prayer for actual graces for yourself.for actual graces for yourself.

Do not pray to see the whole nine Do not pray to see the whole nine miles down the road...Pray only to miles down the road...Pray only to see the next 30 feet.see the next 30 feet.