gratia sanctificans; also gratia habitualis
Sanctifying Grace
The stable, habitual gift of God's own life that makes the soul holy and pleasing to him; received in Baptism, lost by mortal sin, restored by Confession.
grace that makes holy
Sanctifying grace is the gift by which God's life dwells in the soul and heals and elevates it. Unlike a passing help, it is a habitual disposition — a state — and to have it is to be “in a state of grace.” It is first given at Baptism, deepened by the other sacraments and by prayer, lost only through mortal sin, and ordinarily recovered through the sacrament of Penance. The Catechism calls it a supernatural disposition that perfects the soul itself to enable it to live with God.
Not to be confused with Actual Grace.
Councils
Where the Church settled or debated this. Follow a council to read our article on it, or the decrees themselves.
- 1545–1563Council of Trentthe decrees
Sources checked 29 September 2026