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.

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PROVIDENCE

God's all-wise plan for the universe, and the carrying out of his plan by his loving rule or governance. the eternal world plan and its fulfillment in time are together called divine providence. As expressed by the First Vatican Council (1869-1870), "God in His providence watches over and governs all the things that He made, reaching from end to end with might and disposing all things with gentleness" (Denzinger 3003). Divine providence is universal in that all events, even the most personal decisions of human beings, are part of god's eternal plan. It is infallibly certain because the ultimate purpose that God has for the universe will not fail. And it is immutable because God himself cannot change. (Etym. Latin providentia, foresight, foreknowledge.)