What is grace?

Grace is God's free and undeserved help, given so that we can respond to His call and share in His divine life. Grace forgives, heals, transforms, and enables us to love God and neighbor.

A gift of divine life. Grace begins with God, not with human achievement. Through grace, God makes us adopted sons and daughters and partakers of the divine nature (2 Pet 1:4; CCC 1996-1997). We do not become divine by nature or cease to be creatures. We receive a real participation in God's life. Salvation therefore involves more than having a penalty canceled. God renews us inwardly and makes us holy.

Sanctifying and actual grace. Sanctifying grace is a stable, supernatural gift that perfects the soul and enables us to live in friendship with God (CCC 2000). It is first given in Baptism, which forgives sin and makes the baptized person a new creation (CCC 1265-1266). Actual graces are particular helps from God. They move us toward conversion, strengthen us against temptation, and help us perform good acts. The impulse to repent, the strength to forgive someone, or courage to defend the truth may involve actual grace.

Grace and freedom. Grace does not destroy human freedom. God acts first, awakening and enabling our response, and we truly cooperate with Him (CCC 2001-2002). Jesus says, "Without me you can do nothing" (Jn 15:5). St. Paul likewise teaches that salvation is by grace through faith, created in Christ for good works (Eph 2:8-10). Our good works have saving value only because God's grace makes them possible. No one can earn the initial grace of forgiveness or justification (CCC 2010).

Grace and the sacraments. Christ gives grace especially through the sacraments. Baptism grants new life. Confirmation strengthens baptismal grace. The Eucharist nourishes charity and preserves us from grave sin. Reconciliation restores sanctifying grace when it has been lost through mortal sin (CCC 1129, 1468). Venial sin wounds charity but does not destroy sanctifying grace. Mortal sin destroys charity in the heart and deprives a person of sanctifying grace (CCC 1855, 1861).

How to receive grace. Ask for it. God freely gives the help needed to repent, believe, and obey, though a person can resist His grace. Stay close to the sacraments, pray daily, read Scripture, and promptly reject serious sin. When you fall, return to God rather than despair. His grace does not merely cover weakness. It can make you holy.