Preservative redemption or preservative grace is, in Catholic theology, the doctrine that people can be preserved from future sin and temptation. This doctrine was first developed by Duns Scotus in the 13th century, who believed that the Virgin Mary was preserved from original sin (the Immaculate Conception). This means that Mary was the object of perfect redemption, as if fashioned by the Holy Spirit, which was merited by Jesus.Catechism of the Catholic Church 491-493 Whether or not Mary was ever tempted is speculated by theologians.Catholic Answers: Did Mary Have Temptations? The Catholic Church has developed the doctrine of preservative redemption to include the Eucharist, teaching ever since the Council of Trent that a fruit of Holy Communion is preservation from future temptation and future mortal sin. This is because the soul is enkindled with divine love, so that the more of Jesus one receives the harder it becomes for one to be tempted and commit sin.Roman Catehcism, "The Eucharist Strengthens Against Temptation"Catechism of the Catholic Church 1395 A commonly held pious opinion is that the prophet Jeremiah, John the Baptist, and according to some St. Joseph were sanctified from original sin in the womb, but not at their conception.New Advent: Immaculate Conception Saint Faustina claimed to have received the grace of freedom from temptation against purity.Saint Faustina's Divine Mercy In My Soul, 40 Criticism of preservative grace includes asking why God does not make every human and angel sinlessReddit r/Catholicism, The Problem of Evil and how the Immaculate Conception makes sense if Mary is not redeemed from original sin.Marian Studies, Article 9. Juniper B. Carol, Reflections on the Problem of Mary's Preservative Redemption (1979).
Catholic Church Official teaching
Immaculate Conception The Council of Trent, in Canon XXIII of Session VI, teaches the Immaculate Conception.Papal Encyclical: Council of Trent, Session 6 The Immaculate Conception of Mary is the dogma that the Mother of God enjoyed the grace and privilege of freedom from original sin and personal sin since the moment of her conception. This means that Mary was the object of perfect redemption, as if fashioned by the Holy Spirit, which was merited by Jesus.Catechism of the Catholic Church 491-493 Whether or not Mary was ever tempted is speculated by theologians.Catholic Answers: Did Mary Have Temptations?
Holy Communion When a Catholic receives the Eucharist worthily (free from mortal sin, i.e., in sanctifying grace), among the fruits received is preservation from future temptation and from future mortal sin. This is because the Eucharist enkindles divine love in the soul, so that the more a person receives Jesus the harder it becomes to be tempted and commit sin.Roman Catehcism, "The Eucharist Strengthens Against Temptation"Catechism of the Catholic Church 1395
Unofficial teaching
Pious Opinion A commonly held pious opinion is that the prophet Jeremiah, John the Baptist, and according to some St. Joseph were sanctified from original sin in the womb, but not at their conception.
Private Revelation Saint Faustina claimed that Jesus told her she "will never be subject to temptations against purity."Saint Faustina's Divine Mercy In My Soul, 40
Criticism A criticism is how the Immaculate Conception can make sense if redemption requires a person to be redeemed from original sin, rather than original sin being prevented altogether.Marian Studies, Article 9. Juniper B. Carol, Reflections on the Problem of Mary's Preservative Redemption (1979).
See also Prevenient grace
References