Q. 617.  What is the use and effect of giving the Sacraments conditionally?  A. The use of giving the Sacraments conditionally is that there may be no irreverence to the Sacraments in giving them to persons incapable or unworthy of receiving them; and yet that no one who is capable or worthy may be deprived of them.  The effect is to supply the Sacrament where it is needed or can be given, and to withhold it where it is not needed or cannot be given.

Q. 618.  What is the difference between the powers of a bishop and of a priest with regard to the administration of the Sacraments?  A. The difference between the powers of a bishop and of a priest with regard to the administration of the Sacraments is that a bishop can give all the Sacraments, while a priest cannot give Confirmation or Holy Orders.

Q. 619.  Can a person receive all the Sacraments?  A. A person cannot, as a rule, receive all the Sacraments; for a woman cannot receive Holy Orders, and a man who receives priesthood is forbidden to receive the Sacrament of Matrimony.

LESSON FOURTEENTH.  ON BAPTISM.

Q. 620.  When was baptism instituted?  A. Baptism was instituted, very probably, about the time Our Lord was baptized by St. John, and its reception was commanded when after His resurrection Our Lord said to His Apostles:  “All power is given to Me in heaven and in earth.  Going, therefore, teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

Q. 621. {152} What is Baptism? 
A. Baptism is a Sacrament which cleanses us from original sin, makes us
Christians, children of God, and heirs of heaven.

Q. 622.  What were persons called in the first ages of the Church who were being instructed and prepared for baptism?  A. Persons who were being instructed and prepared for baptism, in the first ages of the Church, were called catechumens, and they are frequently mentioned in Church history.

Q. 623.  What persons are called heirs?  A. All persons who inherit or come lawfully into the possession of property or goods at the death of another, are called heirs.

Q. 624.  Why, then, are we the heirs of Christ?  A. We are the heirs of Christ because at His death we came into the possession of God’s friendship, of grace, and of the right to enter heaven, provided we comply with the conditions Our Lord has laid down for the gaining of this inheritance.

Q. 625.  What conditions has Our Lord laid down for the gaining of this inheritance?  A. The conditions Our Lord has laid down for the gaining of this inheritance are:  (1) That we receive, when possible, the Sacraments He has instituted; and (2) That we believe and practice all He has taught.

Q. 626.  Did not St. John the Baptist institute the Sacrament of Baptism?  A. St. John the Baptist did not institute the Sacrament of Baptism, for Christ alone could institute a Sacrament.  The baptism given by St. John had the effect of a Sacramental; that is, it did not of itself give grace, but prepared the way for it.