Fr. Louis Guardiola, C.P.M.
Sufficient Grace
Actual grace considered apart from the supernatural effect for which it was bestowed. It may therefore mean the grace that does not meet with adequate cooperation on the part of the human recipient, and then it is merely sufficient grace. It is enough to enable a person to perform a salutary act, but who freely declines to cooperate. Or it simply mean the grace that gives one the power to accomplish a salutary action, as distinct from efficacious grace, which ensures that the salutary act be secured.
Efficacious Grace
The actual grace to which free consent is give by the will so that the grace produces it’s divinely intended effect. In the controversy between the Dominicans (Banez 1528-1604) and The Jesuits (Molina 1525-1600) there was no agreement on what precisely causes an actual grace to become efficacious. In the theory of Banez, the efficacy of such grace depends on the character of the grace itself. In the Molina theory it depends on the fact that it is given under the circumstances that God sees to be congruous with the dispositions of the person receiving the grace. In every Catholic theory it is agreed that efficacious grace does not necessitate the human will or destroy human freedom.
Actual Grace
Temporary supernatural intervention by God to enlighten the mind and/or strengthen the will to perform supernatural actions that lead to heaven. Actual grace is therefore an transient divine assistance to enable a man to maintain, obtain or grow in supernatural grace and the life of God.