“Grace is a supernatural gift of God, freely bestowed on us for our sanctification and salvation.” (Penny Catechism) Sanctifying or habitual grace is given at Baptism. St Augustine explained that it is like the sunshine of the soul: God takes up His dwelling within us and invites us to friendship with Him.

We should rejoice in the generous love of God by which He enables us to remain in a state of grace, a continuing relationship of friendship with Him in which He offers us an increasing strength, beauty and holiness of soul, especially through the reception of the sacraments.

St John Bosco was a great saint who dedicated his life to the care of children and young people in need. When asked what was his chief aim in life, he answered “To remain in a state of grace.” The state of grace is lost through mortal sin and restored by God in response to our repentance and sacramental confession.

Actual graces are those helps that we need to carry out supernaturally good works, and to avoid sin and the occasions of sin. God gives us these graces in response to our prayers. St Alphonsus warned us that prayer is therefore morally necessary for our eternal salvation.

The gift of grace is supernatural, above our created human capacity, something for which we rely absolutely on the kindness and love of God, who is infinitely greater than the whole of His creation. Our Lord Himself teaches us that we should treasure the gift of grace more than any earthly riches.