The Adornment of the Spiritual Marriage

ON THE ORNAMENT OF THE SPIRITUAL ESPOUSALS

...and by the contemplation of heavenly glory, to notice how the goodness and patience of God, mercifully sparing those who sin, waits for their repentance. Also, from the higher spark of reason called synteresis synteresis: the innate "spark" or conscience in the human soul that remains uncorrupted by sin and preserves a basic knowledge of moral law—by which the human intellect is joined to the angelic intelligences in the order of creation—there is born in man a natural and indelible inclination toward the good and a detestation of evil. In these moments, according to the proportion and the needs of each, God sometimes so moves the hearts of his elect that, struck with awe and rebuked by their own consciences, they collect themselves and meditate on the purpose of a better life.

This work is carried out by prevenient grace prevenient grace: from the Latin "praevenire" (to come before); the grace that moves a person toward God before they have even decided to seek Him to prepare for the introduction of subsequent and sanctifying grace sanctifying grace: also known as "gratia gratum faciens," this is the divine gift that heals human nature and makes the soul pleasing to God. For when the soul—in this state of ceasing from wicked acts and desires, struck with the fear of God and trembling with a conscience aware of its own guilt—ponders what it ought to do, there is born within it a natural displeasure with sins and a natural benevolence toward God. At this point, the prevenient grace, having reached the height of its power, brings the soul to a standstill.

Thus, with a heart that is contrite original: "attrito corde," referring to "attrition," a sorrow for sin born out of fear of punishment which prepares the way for true "contrition" or sorrow born of love and doing everything within its power, yet unable to progress further by its own strength, the completion of the work is at last attributed to the divine goodness. And behold! The most brilliant light of sanctifying grace, like the splendor of a sunbeam, is poured into the soul thus humbled—unhoped for and earned by no preceding merits. For with this light, which no human merits can reach, God pours Himself in. This is the hidden operation of God in the soul, illuminating and stirring both the cognitive and the emotional powers of the soul. This is the completion of prevenient grace and the beginning of subsequent grace. And this is the supernatural light which we said before is required for supernatural vision. In accordance with this supernatural vision...