Baltimore Catechism No. 2 – Lesson Tenth on the Effects of the Redemption

Q102: Which are the chief effects of the Redemption?

A102: The chief effects of the Redemption are two: The satisfaction of God’s justice by Christ’s sufferings and death, and the gaining of grace for men.

Q103: What do you mean by grace?

A103: By grace I mean a supernatural gift of God bestowed on us, through the merits of Jesus Christ, for our salvation.

Q104: How many kinds of grace are there?

A104: There are two kinds of grace, sanctifying grace and actual grace.

Q105: What is sanctifying grace?

A105: Sanctifying grace is that grace which makes the soul holy and pleasing to God.

Q106: What do you call those graces or gifts of God by which we believe in Him, hope in Him, and love Him?

A106: Those graces or gifts of God by which we believe in Him, and hope in Him, and love Him, are called the Divine virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity.

Q107: What is Faith?

A107: Faith is a Divine virtue by which we firmly believe the truths which God has revealed.

Q108: What is Hope?

A108: Hope is a Divine virtue by which we firmly trust that God will give us eternal life and the means to obtain it.

Q109: What is Charity?

A109: Charity is a Divine virtue by which we love God above all things for His own sake, and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God.

Q110: What is actual grace?

A110: Actual grace is that help of God which enlightens our mind and moves our will to shun evil and do good.

Q111: Is grace necessary to salvation?

A111: Grace is necessary to salvation, because without grace we can do nothing to merit heaven.

Q112: Can we resist the grace of God?

A112: We can and unfortunately often do resist the grace of God.

Q113: What is the grace of perseverance?

A113: The grace of perseverance is a particular gift of God which enables us to continue in the state of grace till death.