State of grace
The condition of a soul that possesses sanctifying grace — in friendship with God, free of unconfessed mortal sin — and therefore able to receive Communion.
To be “in a state of grace” is to have the life of God in the soul: baptized, and not having since committed a mortal sin that has not been forgiven in Confession. It is the state required to receive Holy Communion worthily — the Catechism says anyone aware of having sinned mortally must go to Confession before receiving — and, at death, to enter heaven. The opposite is “the state of mortal sin.” Because we can never be absolutely certain of our own state, the Church encourages regular Confession and a peaceful trust in God's mercy rather than anxious scrupulosity.
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