Author Topic: What are signal graces? (Read 1700 times)

Vanessa · « **on:** May 11, 2014, 09:19:58 PM »

I couldn't find any definition or examples from any traditional or non-novus ordo sources on the net.

MyrnaM · « **Reply #1 on:** May 11, 2014, 09:58:19 PM »

I might be wrong on this point, but I always believed that signal graces were, those times in your life when tempted to do, say or desire something that is sinful; you get those little thoughts in your head sort of like an argument with yourself telling you, no, no, you can't or should not even entertain those thoughts. Pray a Hail Mary now, and think about something else to do, say or desire. That is what I believe is a signal grace.

Vanessa · « **Reply #2 on:** May 11, 2014, 10:09:31 PM »

I think they are actual visible things like light and things like that because i have heard that from certain people who have witnessed them but like i said, i have never seen an actual definition of them by any approved Church authority.

SenzaDubbio · « **Reply #3 on:** May 11, 2014, 10:51:22 PM »

Quote from: Vanessa

I think they are actual visible things like light and things like that because i have heard that from certain people who have witnessed them but like i said, i have never seen an actual definition of them by any approved Church authority.

I would doubt to think this is true. I remember clearly a priest talking about the desire of revelations or miracles would be to fall into great error. This makes me recall something I read. Even though it pertains to first to the Rosary, his concluding remark extends it.

"You must be on your guard against giving yourself to what is extraordinary and asking or even desiring knowledge of extraordinary things, visions, revelations, or other miraculous graces which God has occassionally given to some of the saints while they were saying the Rosary. Sola fides sufficit: Faith alone suffices now that the Gospel and all the devotions and pious practices are sufficiently established." - St. Louis de Montfort, Secret of the Rosary, 47th Rose

Nadir · « **Reply #4 on:** May 11, 2014, 10:54:52 PM »

My understanding is that a signal grace is one which acts as a sign. It may not be anything which can be seen like a light, but it is something by which you just know. It is like a confirmation of something, a reassurance.

MariaCatherine · « **Reply #5 on:** May 11, 2014, 10:56:46 PM »

Quote

adj. Notably out of the ordinary: a signal feat; a signal event; distinguished or conspicuous

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/signal

Nadir · « **Reply #6 on:** May 11, 2014, 10:59:08 PM »

In reply to SenzaDubbio, I would say that a signal grace could be something which is asked for (nothing wrong with that) or it could come unrequested.

Thorn · « **Reply #7 on:** May 11, 2014, 11:29:40 PM »

I was always under the impression that a signal grace was a specific grace given to a person, such as the Blessed Virgin had the signal grace to be conceived without sin, or Joan of Arc had a signal grace to be able to lead the lead the French army even though she was an illiterate woman.
Neither of these women asked for this grace. And it isn't a 'signal' - that is a light or sign, although Joan of Arc did hear voices of Saints which guided her.

RomanCatholic1953 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 11, 2014, 11:43:42 PM »

This is a new one on me. Never heard of "signal grace", I know of
actual grace, and sanctifying grace.
I have no recollection of any discussion of "signal grace." in my
Catholic School years.
Please somebody fill me in.

MariaCatherine · « **Reply #9 on:** May 11, 2014, 11:48:21 PM »

Quote from: Thorn

I was always under the impression that a signal grace was a specific grace given to a person, such as the Blessed Virgin had the signal grace to be conceived without sin, or Joan of Arc had a signal grace to be able to lead the lead the French army even though she was an illiterate woman.
Neither of these women asked for this grace. And it isn't a 'signal' - that is a light or sign, although Joan of Arc did hear voices of Saints which guided her.

I usually see 'singular grace' in reference to that which was given the Immaculate Conception. But I can see 'signal grace' being applied to that which was given St. Joan.

Quote from: RomanCatholic1953

This is a new one on me. Never heard of "signal grace", I know of
actual grace, and sanctifying grace.
I have no recollection of any discussion of "signal grace." in my Catholic School years.
Please somebody fill me in.

Among the promises Our Lady made to those who pray the rosary daily is that they'll be given 'signal graces'.

Thorn · « **Reply #10 on:** May 11, 2014, 11:53:20 PM »

I don't remember discussing it either, but it would be in books - "She had the signal grace to -----" or the teachers would say in class about having the signal grace and you knew that it meant that that person was given a special grace that the rest of us didn't get and that it was for a special purpose.

MariaCatherine · « **Reply #11 on:** May 12, 2014, 12:08:55 AM »

Quote from: Thorn

I don't remember discussing it either, but it would be in books - "She had the signal grace to -----" or the teachers would say in class about having the signal grace and you knew that it meant that that person was given a special grace that the rest of us didn't get and that it was for a special purpose.

I can't remember where, but Our Lady said we should ask for the graces that no one ever asks for! This mystified me for a long time! What could those graces be that no one ever asks for?! Now I just ask for them, without even knowing what they are!
:idea:

nipr · « **Reply #12 on:** May 12, 2014, 01:05:05 AM »

Quote from: MariaCatherine

Quote from: Thorn
I don't remember discussing it either, but it would be in books - "She had the signal grace to -----" or the teachers would say in class about having the signal grace and you knew that it meant that that person was given a special grace that the rest of us didn't get and that it was for a special purpose.

I can't remember where, but Our Lady said we should ask for the graces that no one ever asks for! This mystified me for a long time! What could those graces be that no one ever asks for?! Now I just ask for them, without even knowing what they are!
:idea:

I'm not sure how to isolate part of a post, so I'm quoting the whole thing here even though I want to try to help with the question regarding what graces to ask for.

Our Lady told St. Catherine Laboure (Miraculous Medal) "Many people don't receive graces simply because they don't ask for them." And I seem to recall her saying to ask for graces that no one asks for but I can't remember where I read that. I don't think She meant "no one" literally.

The answer is easy if you just think about your life -- what are your needs temporal and spiritual? God is giving you graces all day and all night. All of us take them for granted. We should start asking for these graces even though He is already granting them to us because that glorifies Him.

St. Augustine wrote that by ourselves, all we can do is sin. EVERYTHING ELSE is a grace from God. And God is glorified when we petition Him for what we need because 1) It is an act of humility on our part to ask of Him because we thereby show our belief that He is greater than we are and that glorifies Him, and 2) It is an act of faith and hope since we show dependence on Him for our every need, and in that we show trust in His words in the Scriptures that He is our God and will take care of us. And 3) Everytime we pray like this, we gain more merit for heaven, so it is beneficial to us as well as to God to ask for graces.

So, you can ask for graces for yourself -- the grace to fight temptations, to suffer well, to have the virtue you are striving for, to die a holy death, to make a good confession, to increase in love for Him and Our Lady, to be faithful to your Faith until death (that is called the grace of Final Perseverance and is a sheer gift of God; we cannot merit that grace ourselves)....

We can ask for anything that is not sinful, even things we take for granted like having enough money to buy groceries, keep our job, maintain our health, not be involved in a car accident, protection of ourselves and our property during storms..... The list is almost infinite if you also add requests for graces for those you know. Then you can also pray for the souls in Purgatory, for all priests, for the conversion of Rome, for mercy if God so desires to chastise us more severely.... The list is endless if you remember that EVERYTHING IS A GRACE FROM GOD EXCEPT SIN ITSELF. Even the remorse you feel after committing a sin is a grace from God!

You can think outside the box: When you eat fish, ask God to protect the fishermen who made it possible for you to have your meal. There are many storms at sea. Who asks for this? Pray for soldiers, first responders, accident victims, the dying, farmers--ask for graces for them because what they do benefits your life. Again, the list can go on and on. Just think about it.

How many people do you think ask for these graces (keep the answer to yourself). I'm guessing practically no one. Before V2 we had many prayers for such people in our devotional books. Now we don't even have the books! So you speak from your heart and God will inspire you what to say--by means of a grace! It was by a grace that you are even wondering about this! Pretty awesome, huh? : )

Nadir · « **Reply #13 on:** May 12, 2014, 01:37:11 AM »

My mother, who went to God last year within the octave of the Assumption, at the age of 95, would use the term signal graces quite often and I would read the term in some of her books. I do not believe that the expression was reserved to Our Lady and the Rosary.

I did a search and came up with this.
http://therosarytrail.com/signal-graces/

Quote

Signal graces are the unique graces promised to us by the Virgin Mary when we faithfully recite the Rosary. They are the “signs” given to us after we’ve prayed for something; signs that indicate that our prayer was heard. The word “signal” in this case refers to special, beyond the ordinary. These graces are different than what God already gives us on a daily basis.

Our Lady made fifteen promises to those who faithfully recite the Rosary. The first promise speaks of signal graces. When I researched the sentence “What are Signal Graces?” I found very little in terms of an actual definition or a thorough explanation of what exactly they are. However, what I did discover is that throughout history many, many great saints were given these signal graces as they went about their lives, striving to do God’s will. Many of these saints were also very attached to the Blessed Virgin Mary, as was the case with Saint Catherine Laboure and Saint Therese Lisieux.

Also this from http://www.erosary.com/faq/view/about-the-rosary/what-is-a-signal-grace?/120.htm

Quote

What is a Signal Grace?
Signal Graces are signs sent by God to help us make the right decisions in life. Moses saw a burning bush as a sign from God, and other people received signs from God daily. Signal graces usually come about as subtle hints to help keep us moving in the right direction - these signs are truly gifts from God.

Vanessa · « **Reply #14 on:** May 12, 2014, 02:32:18 AM »

After someone i know questioned the Dimonds on their going to a novus ordo byzantine mass dressed up as laymen, they responded with the following:

Quote

No, you are completely wrong. You are definitely of bad will, a schismatic and headed of Hell. You know nothing about God, and probably have never even seen a signal grace. You are a schismatic accomplishes nothing because you are puffed up. That's why God resists you, and you will accomplish nothing.