Sanctification

Rather than the realization of moral perfection, sanctification is said to be the free consent by an individual to an act of God. It is based on the idea of setting apart for ritual purposes, of consecrating in the sacrificial sense, and is as open to the psychically tormented or limited personality as to the individual whose balanced personality allows the manifestation of the results of such sanctity. Psychic, moral and religious forces are all called into play. What is involved is the personal consecration of an individual when he or she takes as a personal destiny the obligation inherent in responsibility. This requires total giving and total dedication in each individual situation. Behind this total dedication is a continuous caring for the whole world.

In specifically Christian terms, sanctification is the deliverance of men from guilt and the power of sin, and consecration to love and serve God, through the action of the Holy Spirit. Again, this is the subjective side of salvation, an act of grace, although dependent upon the prior striving and self-dedication of the believer. In these terms sanctification is a continuous process rather than a unique act, intended to be finally complete and perfect whether in this life or the next; but once the process has begun the person can be referred to as sanctified. Thus, sanctification can be contrasted with sanctity or holiness, which are states rather than processes, and with the moral quality of purity.

François Fénelon indicates that even souls perfected in love and the subjects of sanctification do not cease to grow in grace. He indicates two degrees of sanctification, [holy resignation]

and [holy indifference]

.