Do Catholics believe in grace?

Catholics believe in grace as a divine and free gift from God, essential for spiritual life and salvation. Grace is seen in Scripture as a transformative force that restores the soul. In Ephesians 2:8-9, it says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so no one may boast." This passage reflects the belief that grace is not a human merit but an unmerited favor that brings people closer to God.

Through Baptism, Catholics believe in grace as the means by which Christians become children of God (Galatians 3:26-27), partaking in divine nature and receiving the Holy Spirit to guide them in faith. "For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." This clothing with Christ is a sign of the new life grace provides.

Moreover, grace is continually poured out through the sacraments. Romans 6:14 speaks of the liberating grace that the sacraments offer: "For sin will not have dominion over you, since you are not under the law but under grace." Whether in marriage, reconciliation, or the Eucharist, Catholics believe in the grace that flows from each sacrament, strengthening them in moments of challenge.

The cooperation between grace and human freedom is also central. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, God says to Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." This reflects that, while grace is a divine gift, it requires acceptance and cooperation from the human being to bear fruit. Thus, Catholics believe in grace as a partnership between God and humanity in the pursuit of holiness and divine communion.