Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

Random Term from the Dictionary:

DIVINE WILL

The volition of God, which, like his knowledge, is purely and simply actual, and absolutely independent of all extra-divine things. Since God is infinite there is, in his willing, no transition from potency to act, no sequence of individual acts, but one single successionless act of willing. His will is actually identical with the divine essence. Things external to God are not determining reasons, but merely the goal of the divine volition. God's actual fullness of being excludes any love of acquisition. His ardent longing for the salvation of humankind (Isaiah 65:2) is an expression of his benevolent love, which shows itself in the communication of benefits to creatures, beginning with the gift of their existence.