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62. Grace: Chief Effect of the Sacraments

1. The sacraments of the New Law produce grace. For thesacraments incorporate man with Christ, make man a member ofChrist; and such incorporation is effected only by grace. Theprincipal cause of grace is God; the sacraments areinstituted to be instrumental causes of God'sgrace.

2. Grace perfects the essence of the soul; fromgrace, gifts and virtues flow into the soul's powers.To these normal effects of grace in the soul, and in the powers ofthe soul, each sacrament adds a special perfection of its own; thisis the respective sacramental grace of each sacrament.Sacramental grace is a special divine aid bestowed on the soul by asacrament, and meant to help that soul attain the precise end forwhich the sacrament is instituted.

3. Grace is in the sacraments of the New Law as atransient instrumental power.

4. The sacraments are instrumental causes of grace;therefore, they possess an instrumental power for bringing aboutthe effects of grace.

5. The sacraments of the New Law derive their powerespecially from the Passion of Christ; the virtue of the Passion isin some manner communicated to the receiver of a sacrament.

6. The sacraments of the Old Law could not of themselvesconfer sanctifying grace; they could only signify the faith bywhich men are justified, that is, set in the state of sanctifyinggrace.

"Lord, take from me everything that hinders me from going to You. give me all that will lead me to You. Take me from myself and give me to Yourself."
St Nicholas Flue

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"Shun too great a desire for knowledge, for in it there is much fretting and delusion. Intellectuals like to appear learned and to be called wise. Yet there are many things the knowledge of which does little or no good to the soul, and he who concerns himself about other things than those which lead to salvation is very unwise. "
Thomas á Kempis

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"If you wish to learn and appreciate something worth while, then love to be unknown and considered as nothing. Truly to know and despise self is the best and most perfect counsel."
Thomas á Kempis

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