The Classification of Graces

Grace given to make the receiver holy is sanctifying grace. Grace given to one person for the benefit and holiness of others is gratuitous grace; such,for example, is the grace of miracles, or the grace of prophecy.

Grace which directly moves the mind or will to act is operating grace; grace which disposes mind and will to receive and use operating grace is cooperating grace.

Grace which precedes an operation or state of the soulis pre-venient grace; grace which follows a prior effect of grace is subsequent grace. Grace has five effects: (a)it heals the soul; (b) it awakens the desire for good; (c) it helps carry the desire for good to the actual achievement of good;(d) it gives perseverance; (e) it conducts the soul to glory. Thesame grace may be subsequent to one of these effects and prevenientto another.

Gratuitous graces are thus listed by St. Paul (I Cor.12:8-10): wisdom, knowledge, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues, interpretation of speeches.

Sanctifying grace sets man directly in line with God,his last end. Gratuitous grace stirs man and prepares him to get inline with his last end. Thus a man observing a miracle (wrought bythe gratuitous grace of miracles in the person God uses as instrument to perform the miracle) may be stirred to repentance orto deeper piety, and so be moved to obtain sanctifying grace. It is clear, therefore, that sanctifying grace is, in itself, more noble and excellent than gratuitous grace; it is better to be in thestate of sanctifying grace than to have the grace of miracles.