(E)
When our free will corresponds thus with actual grace, and we have habitual grace in our soul, has the act any special character?
Yes, it is always a meritorious act (CXIV. 1, 2).
Are there several kinds of merit?
Yes, there is merit de condigno and merit de congruo (CXIV. 2).
What is understood by merit "de condigno"?
It is the merit that demands recompense by right and in strict justice (CXIV. 2).
What is required for man's act to be meritorious "de condigno"?
The act must be done under the impulse of actual grace; it must proceed from sanctifying grace by the virtue of charity; and it must tend towards the acquisition of eternal life for itself alone, or further, towards the increase of grace and of the virtues (CXIV. 2, 4).
Is it possible to merit for others life eternal, or sanctifying grace, or the increase of this grace by merit which is "de condigno"?
No, it is impossible to merit this kind of boons for others except by merit de congruo; for to merit de condigno for others is proper to Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church (CXIV. 5, 8).
What is understood by merit "de congruo"?
By this it is understood that merit which effects that God by reason of the friendship that unites Him to the just, deems it fitting and in accord with His wishes, to respond to the joy that they seek to give Him by their good works, in Himself giving joy to them by granting what they ask or what they desire of Him (CXIV. 6).
Then the whole "raison d'être" of merit is reduced to this, that God moves intimately in the life of the just through grace and the virtues under the action of the Holy Ghost?
Yes, it is always in the intimacy between God and the just, or in their life of grace and the virtues under the action of the Holy Spirit, that consists the whole raison d'être of merit; moreover, whatever man does outside this life, even though in itself it is not evil, is altogether vain and will avail him nothing at the last day (CXIV. 6).
Can this life of grace and the virtues to be lived by man on earth be explained in detail?
Yes, all this will be explained in its proper place when we study man's return to God by his good acts.
Next - The Catechism of the Summa -SECOND SECTION - A DETAILED SURVEY OF MAN'S RETURN TO GOD
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