The Second Synod of Orange taught with firm authority that nothing human can demand, merit or buy the gift of divine grace and that all cooperation with it is a prior gift of that same grace: “Even the desire to be cleansed comes about in us through the outpouring and working of the Holy Spirit.”  Subsequently, the Council of Trent, while emphasizing the importance of our cooperation for spiritual growth, reaffirmed that dogmatic teaching. “We are said to be justified gratuitously because noting that precedes justification, neither faith nor works, merits the grace of justification; for ‘if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise, grace would no longer be grace’ (Rom 11:6).”
 ---Pope Francis, “Apostolic Exhortation: Gaudete et Exsultate,” #53