Grace verse Graces

[GodHeals]

Hi,

Quick question. Why do Catholics seem to say graces verses protestants seem to say grace. I know Catholics believe in Actual and Sanctifying Grace and that Grace comes through the sacraments. For some protestants, maybe those that don’t believe in the sacraments like the evangelicals… or maybe they believe in 1 or 2?, just say grace. Maybe the more liturgical Protestant denominational ecclesial communities would say graces? Not sure what graces and grace refers so in the singular and plural.

Thanks!
Brian

 

[Joe_5859]

Grace is a term that can be used a few different ways. I personally have not noticed a divide as though Catholics only talk about graces, not grace.

I recommend reading through the section in the Catechism on grace: CCC 1996-2005.

 

[Polycarp1]

Hi,

Quick question. Why do Catholics seem to say graces verses protestants seem to say grace. I know Catholics believe in Actual and Sanctifying Grace and that Grace comes through the sacraments. For some protestants, maybe those that don’t believe in the sacraments like the evangelicals… or maybe they believe in 1 or 2?, just say grace. Maybe the more liturgical Protestant denominational ecclesial communities would say graces? Not sure what graces and grace refers so in the singular and plural.

Thanks!
Brian

Maybe its because there are many graces. Faith, Hope Charity etc…

 

[GodHeals]

Yea, I am not sure… or actual grace verses sanctifying graces that come through various sacraments?

Any ideas? I just noticed Catholics say graces a lot of times and Protestants seems to say grace, based on my experiences. I don’t think i’ve heard Protestants say graces, but I could be wrong…

 

[WaitingForJesus]

This is my simplified view of the matter. I used to be a Baptist and it seemed to me that we thought of grace in more general terms. The word represented God’s goodness and love towards humans and the fact that he came here to die and save us from our sins.

The Catholic conception is more specifically directed to each individual and it comes in different forms as you have noted, hence the plural. There is the grace to turn towards God when in a state of sin (and that is a gift from Him); grace received through reception of the sacraments; and graces received through the operation of the Holy Spirit on the individual resulting in gifts and fruits of the spirit (and these are different for each person). In my now Catholic mind, I see that God actually puts his grace into the person who cooperates with him.

Basically, I think we are using the word somewhat differently and that causes confusion.

 

[fred_conty]

Hi,

Quick question. Why do Catholics seem to say graces verses protestants seem to say grace. I know Catholics believe in Actual and Sanctifying Grace and that Grace comes through the sacraments. For some protestants, maybe those that don’t believe in the sacraments like the evangelicals… or maybe they believe in 1 or 2?, just say grace. Maybe the more liturgical Protestant denominational ecclesial communities would say graces? Not sure what graces and grace refers so in the singular and plural.

Thanks!
Brian

Actual grace inlightens the intellect to see good or evil, and strengthens the will to do good. These graces are thought of in terms of knowing God’s will in our life and doing of his will. It helps us to sort out good from evil and then subtly nudges us to the good.
Graces may be said to be given to overcome each of the 7 capitol sins, or to empower us to carry out our state in life, and in so many more ways.

Sanctifying grace is actually the sharing of divine life of God within our soul, so that we become the temple of the Holy Spirit. This grace is thought of in terms of being, a son/daughter of God. This life within can increase each time we receive, for instance, Jesus in Holy Communion, for this food changes us more into him each time received if we have prepared ourselves properly. This increase of his life of course cannot be seen exteriorly but it does grow in our soul and makes us even more pleasing to the Father.

Holy days are also sources of graces.

Just as a footnote, some saints have been able to tell if someone is in the state of grace by the odor of the person. One saint never wanted to go to the city where the crowds were because of the stench that was given off by some people’s soul. Other saints gave off the odor of roses as they passed by revealing their goodness of soul. St. Catherine of Siena could sometimes read souls and know if someone was not in the state of grace, santifying grace.

Just some thoughts.