A Review of Actual Grace Definition: “those graces which dispose or move in a transient manner for doing or receiving something in regard to eternal life” (Royo, 41). It comes with sanctifying grace under the division of graces entitled gratia gratum faciens, as opposed to the other division, gratia gratis data. Definition: “those graces which dispose or move in a transient manner for doing or receiving something in regard to eternal life” (Royo, 41). It comes with sanctifying grace under the division of graces entitled gratia gratum faciens, as opposed to the other division, gratia gratis data. “[Actual graces] refer to God’s interventions, whether at the beginning of conversion or in the course of the work of sanctification” (CCC 2000). “God also acts through many actual graces, to be distinguished from habitual grace which is permanent in us” (CCC 2024). “[Actual graces] refer to God’s interventions, whether at the beginning of conversion or in the course of the work of sanctification” (CCC 2000). “God also acts through many actual graces, to be distinguished from habitual grace which is permanent in us” (CCC 2024). Actual graces are ordained toward the infused habits Actual graces are ordained toward the infused habits To receive them when the soul does not have them To receive them when the soul does not have them To put the infused habits in motion when the soul already possesses them To put the infused habits in motion when the soul already possesses them

Actual Graces are received into the faculties of the soul Elevating them to produce indeliberate supernatural acts (gratia operans) Elevating them to produce indeliberate supernatural acts (gratia operans) Elevating them to produce deliberate supernatural acts (gratia co-operans). Elevating them to produce deliberate supernatural acts (gratia co-operans).

Differences between habitual grace and sanctifying grace Habitual Grace – permanent qualities which work effects in a continual and indefectible manner Habitual Grace – permanent qualities which work effects in a continual and indefectible manner actual grace – transient qualities whose final effect is often frustrated actual grace – transient qualities whose final effect is often frustrated Habitual Grace – disposes the faculties of the soul for action Habitual Grace – disposes the faculties of the soul for action actual grace – prompts and produces the act itself actual grace – prompts and produces the act itself Virtues and gifts – have a restricted area in which they reside and function (i.e. certain faculties or powers) Virtues and gifts – have a restricted area in which they reside and function (i.e. certain faculties or powers) actual grace – extend to the entire domain of the supernatural life actual grace – extend to the entire domain of the supernatural life

Necessity of Actual Grace Only God who produced the infused supernatural habits in the soul can set them in motion. Only God who produced the infused supernatural habits in the soul can set them in motion. This cannot be achieved by a simple natural impulse – a natural impulse cannot move a supernatural disposition. A supernatural disposition is required. This cannot be achieved by a simple natural impulse – a natural impulse cannot move a supernatural disposition. A supernatural disposition is required. To reduce a potency to act requires a being already in motion, in the natural order. The same holds true in the supernatural order. To reduce a potency to act requires a being already in motion, in the natural order. The same holds true in the supernatural order. God who is Pure Act acts upon the soul’s supernatural potencies God who is Pure Act acts upon the soul’s supernatural potencies Actual grace is the divine influence which moves the infused habit to its operation Actual grace is the divine influence which moves the infused habit to its operation

The Division of Actual Graces 1.Operating grace vs. co-operating grace 2.Gratia excitans vs. gratia adjuvans 3.Prevenient grace vs. concomitant grace 4.Internal grace vs. external grace 5.Sufficient grace vs. efficacious grace 6.Grace of illumination vs. grace of inspiration 7.Direct grace vs. indirect grace

Functions of Actual Grace Disposes the soul to receive the infused habits of sanctifying grace and the virtues Disposes the soul to receive the infused habits of sanctifying grace and the virtues when the soul hasn’t yet possessed them when the soul hasn’t yet possessed them when the soul has lost them through mortal sin’ when the soul has lost them through mortal sin’ grace of repentance grace of repentance grace of fearing punishment grace of fearing punishment grace of placing confidence in God’s mercy grace of placing confidence in God’s mercy

Actuates the infused habits together with sanctifying grace Actuates the infused habits together with sanctifying grace perfects the infused virtues perfects the infused virtues increases sanctifying grace increases sanctifying grace Prevents the loss of infused habits through mortal sin Prevents the loss of infused habits through mortal sin Strengthens the soul in the face of temptations Strengthens the soul in the face of temptations Gives warnings in the face of danger Gives warnings in the face of danger Inspires by means of good and holy thoughts Inspires by means of good and holy thoughts Inspires mortification Inspires mortification

Fidelity to Actual Grace Two components Two components Inspiration – just the opposite of the dynamic of temptation Inspiration – just the opposite of the dynamic of temptation Response – the place where fidelity resides Response – the place where fidelity resides

The Necessary Components of our Response Attention need for interior recollection – the voice of the Holy Spirit is subtle and we need interior silence and attentiveness. Dissipation is an obstacle to perceiving the Holy Spirit’s inspirations. need for interior recollection – the voice of the Holy Spirit is subtle and we need interior silence and attentiveness. Dissipation is an obstacle to perceiving the Holy Spirit’s inspirations. Need for mortification – our sensuality causes static in the souls’ perception of graces and can be more inclined to listen to the pleasures that the senses provide Need for mortification – our sensuality causes static in the souls’ perception of graces and can be more inclined to listen to the pleasures that the senses provide Need for a purified love – our affections and love of self provide a pull away from Holy Spirit and towards egoism, thus filtering inspirations from Holy Spirit and not hearing those which beckon toward self-effacement Need for a purified love – our affections and love of self provide a pull away from Holy Spirit and towards egoism, thus filtering inspirations from Holy Spirit and not hearing those which beckon toward self-effacement

Discretion – one needs to recognize which inspirations are divine and which originate from another source Discretion – one needs to recognize which inspirations are divine and which originate from another source examine the holiness or lack thereof of the object of inspiration examine the holiness or lack thereof of the object of inspiration Is the inspiration in conformity with one’s state of life? Is the inspiration in conformity with one’s state of life? Peace and tranquility of soul should be present at reception of inspiration Peace and tranquility of soul should be present at reception of inspiration One should manifest humble obedience to the laws of God and to one’s legitimate superiors One should manifest humble obedience to the laws of God and to one’s legitimate superiors One should submit to the judgment of a spiritual director when the inspiration is of greater gravity One should submit to the judgment of a spiritual director when the inspiration is of greater gravity

Docility Docility Promptly follow the inspiration, once recognizing that it is from God; do not wait for the inspiration to return Promptly follow the inspiration, once recognizing that it is from God; do not wait for the inspiration to return

“Rules of the Road”

Some “Rules of the Road” on the Spiritual Journey (Postulant’s Manual, CJC) To those who ask, God never denies grace...But you must ask and that means you must pray for them. To those who ask, God never denies grace...But you must ask and that means you must pray for them. God never commands you to do the impossible...If he asks you to do it, He will offer you the grace to get it done. God never commands you to do the impossible...If he asks you to do it, He will offer you the grace to get it done. God never imposes Himself on anyone...If you get it you must want it. God never imposes Himself on anyone...If you get it you must want it. Ask God for the grace to see what you should do...But before you ask, tell Him you will do it. Ask God for the grace to see what you should do...But before you ask, tell Him you will do it.

Be sensitive to actual graces...Respond to them on the spot. Be sensitive to actual graces...Respond to them on the spot. When actual graces do not seem to be there...pray for them. When actual graces do not seem to be there...pray for them. When you pray for them, be confident...but humble. When you pray for them, be confident...but humble. Your prayer for actual graces for others is no less strong as prayer for actual graces for yourself. Your prayer for actual graces for others is no less strong as prayer for actual graces for yourself. Do not pray to see the whole nine miles down the road...Pray only to see the next 30 feet. Do not pray to see the whole nine miles down the road...Pray only to see the next 30 feet.