First, it signifies the doctrine that God has given to each person a destiny beyond this world that consists in the sharing in everlasting life with Him in Heaven. Predestination here means that the Almighty wills our salvation. This Catholic belief is drawn from Saint Paul’s teaching as found in his Letter to the Romans (8:29-30): “For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the first-born among many brethren. And those whom He predestined He also called; and those whom He called He also justified; and those whom He justified He also glorified.”

Second, predestination is the tenet subscribed to by John Calvin (1509-1564), among others, that asserts that the Lord ordained some persons to go to Heaven and the rest to Hell. This view (sometimes referred to as double predestination) holds that the man destined for the netherworld is incapable of altering the fate that God has assigned to him because of a “positive predetermination” to sin under which he is burdened.

The Catholic Church embraces the first notion of predestination as part of Divine Providence and rejects the second as heretical. The latter is erroneous because the radical predestinationism and the notion of unconditioned positive Reprobation having been taught within some sectors of Protestantism, as one theologian declares, “leads to a denial of the universality of the Divine Desire for salvation, and of the Redemption, and contradicts the Justice and Holiness of God as well as the freedom of man.” While God does indeed know where I will choose to spend eternity, He does not force me to select one choice over the other. He wants me, of course, to join Him in Paradise, but will not coerce me—His great and abiding love for me not withstanding.

Regarding those who knowingly and willingly disobey Him concerning a grace matter and refuse to seek reconciliation with Him, thereby relegating themselves to unending torment in the next life, the Creator allows them to pursue this end, regrettable as it is; however, He does not wish for these erring children of His to consign themselves to this horror but rather, respecting their free will, ratifies their unfortunate decision. God cooperates in the merits that lead to happiness in Heaven but merely permits the sin that results in self-condemnation to Gehenna.

The Council of Trent against Calvin declared that only by a special Revelation may one know with certainty his final destination. However, despite this doubt, there are signs that indicate one’s destiny with a high probability. Some spiritual writers have identified eight signs of God’s predestination in the lives of the righteous. These characteristics denote the Lord’s favor that has stirred up in His friends the genuine desire to practice deep prayer, intense charity, fervent penance and generous service.

1. An Upright Life. The duplication of the authentic holiness exemplified by Jesus has long been promoted by the Church as the sure way to Christian perfection. Adhering to the Ten Commandments, the Natural Law and the Precepts of the Church and receiving frequently the Sacraments (especially Holy Eucharist and Penance) ensures that one will grow in virtue, resulting in a life truly pleasing to the Master.
2. A Good Conscience. A “good conscience” demands a proper development. The conscience is not a teacher but must itself be formed in the law of God and of the Church. In turn, the conscience will exhort the individual to avoid sin and its near occasions and instead to avail himself of the opportunities to increase in sanctifying grace.
3. Patience in Suffering for the Love of God. Suffering, a constitutive part of our lives , may be detested as an inconvenience and a disruption of our plans or surrendered to as a participation in the redemptive Cross of Christ. To yield to suffering out of love of God infallibly leads to Christian holiness.
4. Relish for God’s Holy Word. The “Deposit of Faith,” that is God’s Word, is Sacred Scripture and the Apostolic Tradition. One who rejoices in the truth as revealed in the Holy Bible and the Church’s Sacred Tradition possesses a love for all that the Almighty has spoken to us and acknowledges the life-changing fruit that only He can bequeath.
5. Mercy towards the Suffering. Legion are those who suffer in body, mind and spirit. Jesus spent much of His public ministry healing the needy. His present-day disciples demonstrate mercy towards the afflicted wherever they may be.
6. Love of Enemies. How difficult it is to love one’s enemies! But Jesus gave us no option. We must love them, willingly and cheerfully forgiving them. Judgment is God’s alone.
7. Humility. The Magnificat—the Canticle of Mary —as found in Saint Luke’s Gospel (1:46-55) provides the key to understanding the virtue of humility. The Ever-Virgin was conscious of her identity in the sight of her Lord and praised Him for all He had done for her. Recognizing supernatural blessings is a must for the practice of humility.
8. Filial Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The best devotion to Our Lady is the imitation of the Messiah. She patterned herself in all things after the model of her Divine Son. We who love and honor the Madonna will make progress in becoming more conformed to the image of our Beloved Savior.

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