Day 6 within the Octave of Corpus Christi

Baltimore track

Baltimore Catechism No. 3

Lesson 13 — On the Sacraments in General

Q. 614.Give an example of how a Sacrament is given conditionally.

A.In giving Baptism, for instance, conditionally--or what we call conditional Baptism--the priest, instead of saying absolutely, as he does in ordinary Baptism: "I baptize thee," &c., says: "If you are not already baptized, or if you are capable of being baptized, I baptize thee," &c., thus stating the sole condition on which he intends to administer the Sacrament.

Q. 615.Which of the Sacraments are most frequently given conditionally?

A.The Sacraments most frequently given conditionally are Baptism, Penance and Extreme Unction; because in some cases it is difficult to ascertain whether these Sacraments have been given before or whether they have been validly given, or whether the person about to receive them has the right dispositions for them.

Q. 616.Name some of the more common circumstances in which a priest is obliged to administer the Sacraments conditionally.

A.Some of the more common circumstances in which a priest is obliged to administer the Sacraments conditionally are: (1) When he receives converts into the Church and is not certain of their previous baptism, he must baptize them conditionally. (2) When he is called--as in cases of accident or sudden illness--and doubts whether the person be alive or dead, or whether he should be given the Sacraments, he must give absolution and administer Extreme Unction conditionally.