Hi,
Here is the divisions and types of grace. Pulled from Dr. Ludwig Ott’s Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma
1st Division of Grace - Gratia Increata - Gratia Creata
The Uncreated Grace is God Himslef in so far as He, in His love, from all eternity has pre-determined the gifts of grace, in so far as He has communicated Himiself in the Incarnatino of Christ’s Humanity [gratia unionis], in so far as He indwells in the soulds of the justified, and in so far as He gives Himself to the blessed for possession and enjoyment of the Beautific Vision. The Hypostatic Union, In Indwelling, and the Beautific Vision, considered as acts, are created graces, for they had a beginning in time. But the gift which is conferred on a creature in these acts is uncreated.
Created Grace is a supernatural gift or operation really distinct from God
2nd Division of Grace - Gratia Dei [Creatoris] - Gratia Christi [Redemptoris]
The Grace of God or of the Creator is the grace which God, from the sole motive of love, bestowed on the angels and on our First Parents in Paraise, who, in consequence of their sinlessness, were only negatively unworthy of the reception of grace [non digni] leaving aside the question of the merits of Christ.
The Grace of Christ or of the Redeemer is the grace, which God [from the double motive of love and mercy for men, who, in consequence of the Fall, were postively unworthy [indigni] of the reception of grace, has bestwoed and continues to bestow, in view of the merits of Christ’s Redemption. Both the Grace of God and the Grace of Christ elevate the receiver into the supernatural order of being and activity [gratia elevans]. In addition the Grace of Christ has the task of curing the wounds inflicted by sin [gratia elevans et sanans or medicinalis.]
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3rd Division of Grace - Gratia Externa - Gratia Interna
External Grace is any benevolent deed of God for the salvation of men, which is external to man and which affects man in a moral way only, for example: Revelation; Christ’s teaching and example; sermons; the Liturgy; the Sacraments; the example of the saints.
Internal GraceGratia Gratis Data is given specifically to every grace which is conferred on particular persons for the salvation of others. To this class belong such extraordinary gifts of grace as charismata prophecy, gift of miracles, gift of tongues 1 Cor 12:8 and following], the preistly power of consecration, the hierarchial power of jurisdiction. The possession of these gifts is independant of the personal moral composition of their possessor.
Gratia Gratum Faciens or the grace of sanctification is for all men, and its purpose is the personal sanctification of him who receives it. It makes the receiver pleaseing to God [gratum] either by formally sanctifying him [sanctifying grace] or be preparing him for sanctification, or by preserving and increasing his sanctification [actual grace]. Gratia gratis data is given to secure for men gratis gratum faciens. This latter then is more sublime and more valuable than the former.
5th Division of Grace Gratia Habitualis [sanctificans] - Gratis Actualis
Gratis gratum faciens embraces both gratia habitualis and gratia actualis.
Habitual Grace is a constant supernatural quality of the soul which sanctifies man intrinsically and makes hiim just and pleasing to God [sanctifing grace or justifying grace].
Actual grace or assisting grace or helping grace is a temporary supernatural intervention by God by which the powers of the soul are stirred up to perform a salutary act which is directed to the attaining or preservation or increase of sanctifying grace.
6th Division Gratia Actualis is distinguished into:
a] Gratia illuminationalis, the enlightenment of the intellect and gratia inspirationis, i.e., the strengthening of the Will.
b] Gratia Praeveniens [antecedens, excitans, vocans, operans] which precedes and affects a deliberate act of will, and Gratia subsequens [adjuvans, concomitans, co-operans] which accompanies and supports the deliberate act.
c] Sufficient Grace [gratia sufficiens] and effiacacious grace [gratia efficax]. The former gives a person the pwoer to accomplish the salutary act, the latter de facto secures that the salutary act is accomplished.
Typing this out has made me even more thankful to God. How richly we are blesssed. I did not understand this through the first passes of the book, but this has enriched my understanding of grace. Thanks for posting this thread, you have deepened my faith and gratitude to God.
God bless.