Introduction

Jesus revealed to St. Faustina that he is very generous with his graces, yet many people do not know how to receive the graces that he wants to give them.

St. Faustina: “Today I saw the Crucified Lord Jesus. Precious pearls and diamonds were pouring forth from the wound in His Heart. I saw how a multitude of souls was gathering these gifts, but there was one soul who was closest to His Heart and she, knowing the greatness of these gifts, was gathering them with liberality, not only for herself, but for others as well. The Savior said to me, Behold, the treasures of grace that flow down upon souls, but not all souls know how to take advantage of My generosity” (1687).

This is similar to when Mary appeared to St. Catherine Laboure and showed her the image of the Miraculous Medal. St. Catherine reported that Mary wore many rings set with gems that shone brilliant rays of light over the globe. The Virgin Mary revealed that "these rays symbolize the graces I shed upon those who ask for them." Asked why some of the gems did not shed light, Mary replied, "The gems from which rays do not fall are the graces for which souls forget to ask."

God wants to pour an abundance of grace upon each person and on the world. Yet many do not ask for them or desire them or make efforts to receive them.

I wanted to know for myself how to receive all the graces that God wants to give me. I want to be like the few people who know how to take advantage of God's generosity. And so based on research, prayer, and experience, I have identified ways in which we can fully take advantage of God's generosity and receive the fullness of grace that he wants to give us. There are free choices that we can make to increase the amount of grace we receive.

What is grace?

We all have an idea that grace is a blessing, a gift, a help from God. But there is an aspect of grace that we tend to forget or do not even realize. The Catechism tells us:

“Grace is favor, the free and undeserved help that God gives us to respond to his call to become children of God, adopted sons, partakers of the divine nature and of eternal life.” (CCC1996; emphasis mine)

Grace always calls forth a response to make it fruitful. Grace is not forced upon us, but it is a gift that has to be received and used. If a gift is not received and used, then it does not fulfill its intended purpose. For example, if I leave a wrapped gift on your desk but you put it aside and then forget about it, then the purposed of the gift is never realized. Likewise with grace, if we do not respond to God's intended purpose in giving us the gift, then the fruitfulness or purpose of that grace is never realized. Therefore, a response on our part is crucial if we are to benefit from the grace. Furthermore, if we do respond, not only do we benefit from that grace, but God will give us more graces so that we may fully realize his call to share in the divine life.

This site is about helping us to better understand grace and how it works and the different ways in which we can respond to God's gifts. When we freely respond to God's initial grace, we will merit an increase in grace.

What are the effects of grace?

One effect of grace is medicinal, grace heals the wounds caused by sin.
Grace liberates us from the dominion of sin and concupiscence. It helps us to attain the true freedom of the children of God.
Grace elevates our human nature to participate in the divine nature.
Grace empowers us to do what is beyond our natural capacity.

What are the types of graces?

Sanctifying grace is a gift that habitually transforms us into the likeness of God. It works in us slowly and gradually, making us holy, conforming us to Christ. With sanctifying grace we develop good habits and grow in virtue.
Actual graces are given to us at certain moments to accomplish tasks beyond our natural abilities.
Charisms are given to us for the benefit of others and to help build the kingdom of God. St. Paul lists the different charisms in 1Cor12, which includes wisdom, faith, healing, discernment of spirits, tongues, teaching, etc. There are three indications of a possible charism: a) something we do especially well; b) we enjoy doing it; and c) others benefit from it in a way that builds up the Body of Christ.
The grace of the State in Life helps us to fulfill our vocation in life, whether it be married, religious, priesthood, or single.

Why is grace important or necessary?

The goal in life is to be sanctified, and the means to sanctification is grace.
Grace is the means by which we become holy, to share in the life of God and to attain eternal life.
Grace leads us to God, conforms us to God and unites us to God - our end, our goal, and our happiness - for whom we are made.

This site explores the ways in which we can fully respond to God's initial gift, and thereby, meriting more graces.

The amount of grace we receive depends in part on our disposition and cooperation...

Mary, as we know from the words of the archangel Gabriel, is "full of grace". Yet God still asked for Mary's consent to participate in his plan of salvation. Once Mary said "yes," she received more graces to fulfill her role as the Mother of God; and as she was faithful to her vocation, she received grace upon grace.

Grace + response = more graces

God respects our freedom, which can be a source of merit. And he is calling us to exercise our free will more than we realize. Our free choices have more power, influence and value than we think.

There are dispositions and actions that can merit an increase in grace; not only for ourselves but for others as well.

The grace we receive individually also affects the entire body of Christ. We are all connected, so when one member thrives, the whole organism benefits. And vice versa, members can affect the entire body negatively by failing to grow in grace or by sinning. Personal holiness contributes to the building of God’s kingdom on earth both positively and negatively.

Grace is given in proportion to certain attitudes and actions. These dispositions and activities are also those of the Blessed Virgin Mary. But not only of Mary, but they are the attributes of Jesus himself and of the saints. These qualities are pleasing to God, they are based on Scripture, and confirmed by the saints, and my personal experience.

These qualities are most effective when they become habits – a second nature – a permanent way of being and acting. That way, we are always receptive and meriting more graces and growing in grace.

Qualification

As with anything, we always have to exercise prudence, judgment and discernment (perhaps with the help of spiritual director). It is possible that we can go too far, too extreme, where it becomes detrimental rather than good.

Another thing to keep in mind is that grace is personal: God gives different amounts and types of graces to individuals. God has that freedom. These points are to help us maximize the amount of grace that God wants to give us individually.

In the end our motive is not holiness or an increase in grace for its own sake, but to cooperate with God and be pleasing to him, to be one with him, out of love.

Another thing is that a person may have certain obstacles to grace. For example, there may be emotional or psychological wounds that need healing. Other potential obstacles may be guilt, shame, fear, lack of forgiveness, attachment to sin, addiction, etc.

Some of these twelve points overlap. The points are listed in a natural order. The first six points have more to do with inner dispositions - ways of being; and last six have more to do with actions - ways of behaving.

Some people may already be familiar with these points and are practicing them. But perhaps some will learn something new or get a new perspective or be reminded of a area in their life that needs more attention. Others may learn to look at grace in a different way and learn the different ways in which they may receive an over-abundance of God's gifts!