Overview

Grace (charis) is a term which speaks of our participation in God’s life. It is God’s free gift and favour, helping us to live as the people God has created us to be. Grace brings us close to God, making us holy. Grace is not earned or deserved, nor forced on us. God gifts us and invites our free and loving response. Grace helps us in day to day faithful living. Special graces may assist us in particular moments of our lives. The Sacraments confer grace, God’s life and love. Special grace enables each person to live according to their unique calling, or vocation. Grace enables special responsibilities or ministries to be carried out for the sake of others. We may remember precious moments when life was graced with God’s presence, life and love. We may have been alone, or with others, surrounded by the beauty of nature, touched by silence. The moment arrived unexpectedly, but left us with a deep sense of blessing, gratitude and gift – grace.

Catechism of the Catholic Church

(Paragraph numbers for the Catechism are shown - Click the Nos section to view)
GOD'S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE   No 1949 

GRACE  Nos 1996-2005  

LIFE IN CHRIST   Nos 1691-1698 
LIFE IN THE SPIRIT  No 1699
DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON  No 1700 
HUMAN BEINGS: IMAGE OF GOD   Nos 1701-1709 
IN BRIEF  Nos 1710-1715
The Beatitudes   Nos 1716-1717
Desire for Happiness   Nos 1717-1719
Christian Beatitude (Happiness and Blessing) Nos 1720-1724 
IN BRIEF  Nos 1725-1729  

HUMAN FREEDOM   No 1730
Freedom and Responsibility  Nos 1731-1738 
Human Freedom and Salvation  Nos 1739-1742 
IN BRIEF  Nos 1743-1748 
THE MORAL LAW   Nos 1950-1953 

MORALITY No 1749, Nos 1750-1754, Nos 1755-1756
IN BRIEF  Nos 1757-1761
HUMAN PASSIONS AND FEELINGS:  IN BRIEF  1771-1775  

VIRTUES No 1803, 1804-1811, 1812-1829 
The Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit   1743-1748 
IN BRIEF  1833-1845  

SIN AND MERCY   Nos 1846-1848, Nos 1849-1851, Nos 1852-1853 
The Gravity of Sin:  1854-1864, 1865-1869 
IN BRIEF  1870-1876