Did Old Testament People Receive Sanctifying Grace?

Adam and Eve certainly had sanctifying grace (CCC-375-79; see CCC 1997). Jesus Christ came to restore man to right relationship with God, beginning in baptism, in which we receive sanctifying grace and thereby become adopted sons and daughters of God (CCC 1265-66; 1999-2000). Some might argue there were exceptions in between, such as Elijah, who was taken in a fiery chariot to heaven (2 Kings 2:11). Yet, it’s not clear whether God made an exception with Elijah or that Elijah went to the righteous portion of Sheol, the abode of the dead, as we discuss in this answer.