The Essence of Grace

The grace of God is a gift bestowed on man’s soul to enlighten and strengthen it above the measure of its natural light and strength.

Grace is received into the soul as a quality of the soul. It is a supernatural quality which disposes the soul to supernatural well-being and supernatural well-doing.

Grace is not identical with supernatural virtue; it is prior to such virtue, and is its root. Supernatural virtue is a habit which works by, through, and with grace.

Grace is not, as virtue is, primarily in the powers ofthe soul; it is received into the essence of the soul, and flows from the soul’s essence into the soul’s powers.