A state of soul granted by God's providence to a privileged few, in which, notwithstanding human frailty and the violence of temptation, select saints of God, justified by sanctifying grace and the infused virtues, are infallibly fortified against committing grievous sin. Over and above the intrinsic sanctification of their souls, by which they are constituted in all reality adopted sons of God, they receive from God the inestimable favor of physical and moral constancy in the maintenance of this sonship, a pledge of final perseverance, and an ex- plicit predestination to everlasting happiness. Such a state of confirmation in grace was that of the Apostles.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
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