Patrick Madrid answers a caller's question about the nuances between sanctifying grace and other forms of grace, and whether sanctifying grace can be received through reading the Bible.

 

Sanctifying Grace Explained:
At its core, sanctifying grace is described as the very essence of God's life communicated to our souls. It's primarily bestowed through the sacraments, serving as a conduit for God's life to either be introduced, reintensified, or reinstated in the soul—especially if one is in a state of mortal sin. This grace, metaphorically likened by St. Paul to a liquid, signifies God's love being poured into our hearts, not in a literal sense but as a means to express its capability to be amplified and strengthened within us.

 

Actual Grace and Its Role:
On the other hand, actual grace operates externally, assisting in preparing our minds and souls to be more receptive to sanctifying grace. This form of grace is encountered through sacramentals (like reading the Holy Bible, praying the Rosary, or receiving a blessing from a priest), acting not as sanctifying grace but as divine nudges or prompts that orient us towards a deeper communion with God.

 

A Synergistic Relationship:
The relationship between actual and sanctifying grace is synergistic. Actual graces, while not sanctifying in themselves, play a crucial role in predisposing our souls to receive and intensify the sanctifying grace dwelling within. This dynamic illustrates how practices like praying the Rosary can bring about a profound desire to go to Confession, thereby leading to a closer union with God through the intensification of sanctifying grace.