Live 4 The LORD

Yes, according to Catholic teaching, the grace of justification can be lost through mortal sin, but it can be regained through the Sacrament of Penance [^8][^9].

Here's a more detailed explanation:

*   **Loss of Justification:** Those who fall away from the received grace of justification through sin can be justified again [^8]. Mortal sin deprives the soul of sanctifying grace and charity, turning man away from God [^6].

*   **Sacrament of Penance:** The Sacrament of Penance is the means by which those who have lost their baptismal innocence through mortal sin can be reconciled with God and the Church [^5][^6]. The Council of Trent affirms that through this sacrament, the sinner can be justified anew, implying the possibility of recovering lost justice [^9]. It is considered "a second plank after the shipwreck of lost grace" [^8].

*   **Process of regaining justification:** Regaining justification involves being roused by God through the sacrament of penance and, by the merit of Christ, attending to the recovery of the grace lost [^8]. The process requires an intrinsic union of Divine and human action, of grace and moral freedom of election [^6].

*   **Revival of Merits:** The reconciliation of the sinner with God in the Sacrament of Penance leads to the revival of those merits which had been obtained before committing grievous sin [^10]. Good works performed in the state of grace deserve a reward from God, but this is forfeited by mortal sin [^10]. Once sin is cancelled by penance, the individual regains not only the state of grace but also the entire store of merit which had been placed to his credit [^10].

*   **Imperfect and Perfect Contrition:** Contrition, or sorrow for sin, is necessary for obtaining forgiveness. Perfect contrition, motivated by love of God, forgives venial sins and also mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible [^10]. Imperfect contrition, or attrition, is also a gift of God and an impulse of the Holy Spirit, which, while not perfectly motivating forgiveness by itself, disposes a person to obtain forgiveness in the Sacrament of Penance [^6].

[^1] [The Sources of Catholic Dogma (Enchiridion Symbolorum) 1542](https://www.magisterium.com/docs/17f50f07-de81-4bf5-997c-f41ee830c033/ref/1542)

[^2] [1998 Official response of the Catholic Church to JDDJ 4](https://www.magisterium.com/docs/0678b087-5262-47dd-a2d6-ddb83aaec067/ref/4)

[^3] [Catholic Encyclopedia Justification](https://www.magisterium.com/docs/f2c979a8-871d-4f46-a059-320d3b837a76/ref/Justification)

[^4] [CCC 980](https://www.magisterium.com/docs/0583c069-d4bf-42dd-97de-c19f0b80150f/ref/980)

[^5] [Catholic Encyclopedia The Sacrament of Penance](https://www.magisterium.com/docs/f2c979a8-871d-4f46-a059-320d3b837a76/ref/The%20Sacrament%20of%20Penance)