Sacramental Graces: Modes of Sanctifying Grace

THE THOMIST A SPECULATIVE QUARTERLY REVIEW OF THEOLOGY AND PHILOSOPHY EDITORS: THE DOMINICAN FATHERS OF THE PROVINCE OF ST. JOSEPH·Publishers: The Thomist Press, Washington 17, D. C. VoL. XVIII JULY, 1955 SACRAl\IENTAL GRACES: l\IODES OF SANCTIFYING GRACE No. 8 MANY Thomistic theologians have seen in the theory of John of St. ThQmas that sacramental graces are modes of sanctifying grace, a satisfactory explanation of the nature of sacramental grace. It does not seem, however, that there has been a satisfactory solution to the problem of integrating this theory into the Thomistic sacramental synthesis as a whole. While John of St. Thomas undoubtedly saw that his doctrine of modality was related to the sacramental principles laid down by St. Thomas, nowhere does he directly explain this relationship. Nor in the whole of his philosophical and theological treatises is there to be found more than a passing reference to the nature of modes. As a result, many adherents to the modal doctrine of sacramental grace have accepted it principally on his authority. Our purpose is to propose a doctrine on modes with suf311 812 ROBERT REGINALD MASTERSON ficient clarity to demonstrate that the distinct modes which constitute sacramental graces must result from the instrumental efficiency of the sacraments-that is, we shall attempt to show that the different instrumental causes of grace which are the sacraments must produce distinct modes in the sacramental effect which is grace. In this solution the existence of a distinct mode in sanctifying grace granted sacramentally is traced to the instrumentality of the disjoined instrument, the sacrament. The diversi,ty of these sacramental modes is accounted for by the external signification of the sacrament which determines the instrumentality of each sacrament. Thus, both the existence and diversity of the sacramental modes are established and the theory is seen as the logical culmination of St. Thomas' teaching concerning sacramental signincation and causality. The first part of this work is a textual study of St. Thomas' writing concerning sacramental grace. This will enable the reader to see clearly the development and progress of the sacramental teaching of the Angelic Doctor. This consideration is necessary for an understanding of the difficulties involved and also for a true evaluation of the proposed solution. The rejection or acceptance of the modal theory of sacramental grace must ultimately be based upon its success or failure as a solution which safeguards the known teaching of St. Thomas regarding sacramental grace. The main portion of the article is devoted to establishing the principles upon which the modal theory of sacramental grace is based, namely, that diverse instruments cause diverse modes in: the effect produced by the principal efficient agent; and, that the sacraments are diverse efficient instruments. The first principle demands 1) an exposition of the nature of modes which will indicate how a modification of the efficiency of the principal cause necessarily diversifies the mode of the effect; then, ~) a treatment of efficient instrumentality with emphasis upon the manner in which ·this instrumentality modifies the efficiency of the principal agent. The last part of the article is SACRAMENTAL GRACES: MODES OF SANCTIFYING GRACE 818 directed to an exposition of the second principle: the sacraments are diverse instruments. It contains 1) an explanation of the teaching of St. Thomas regarding the efficient instrumentality of the sacraments, including a reply to the more important objections raised against this doctrine. Since, however , it.is the form of the instrument which limits the efficiency of the principal agent and hence diversifies the mode of the effect, this section 2) also sets forth the nature of sacramental signification as the formal and limiting principle of the sacramental 'instrument. I. SACRAMENTAL GRACE IN THE WRITINGS OF ST. THOMAS Nominal Definition of Sacramental Grace. In the broadest meaning of the term all the effects gratuitously bestowed by God upon the recipients of the sacraments may be called sacramental graces. These would includ~ sanctifying grace, the special grace which is an effect proper to each sacrament, and lastly, the character. According to the more common usage, however, sacramental grace is distinguished from the character and refers to the primary sacramental effect, sanctifying grace as including the grace ordained to...