Q. 627. {153} Are actual sins ever remitted by Baptism?  A. Actual sins and all the punishment due to them are remitted by Baptism, if the person baptized be guilty of any.

Q. 628.  That actual sins may be remitted by baptism, is it necessary to be sorry for them?  A. That actual sins may be remitted by baptism it is necessary to be sorry for them, just as we must be when they are remitted by the Sacrament of Penance.

Q. 629.  What punishments are due to actual sins?  A. Two punishments are due to actual sins:  one, called the eternal, is inflicted in hell; and the other, called the temporal, is inflicted in this world or in purgatory.  The Sacrament of Penance remits or frees us from the eternal punishment and generally only from part of the temporal.  Prayer, good works and indulgences in this world and the sufferings of purgatory in the next remit the remainder of the temporal punishment.

Q. 630.  Why is there a double punishment attached to actual sins?  There is a double punishment attached to actual sins, because in their commission there is a double guilt:  (1) Of insulting God and of turning away from Him; (2) Of depriving Him of the honor we owe Him, and of turning to His enemies.

Q. 631. {154} Is Baptism necessary to salvation?  A. Baptism is necessary to salvation, because without it we cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Q. 632.  Where will persons go who—­such as infants—­have not committed actual sin and who, through no fault of theirs, die without baptism?  A. Persons, such as infants, who have not committed actual sin and who, through no fault of theirs, die without baptism, cannot enter heaven; but it is the common belief they will go to some place similar to Limbo, where they will be free from suffering, though deprived of the happiness of heaven.

Q. 633. {155} Who can administer Baptism?  A. A priest is the ordinary minister of baptism; but in case of necessity anyone who has the use of reason may baptize.

Q. 634.  What do we mean by the “ordinary minister” of a Sacrament?  A. By the “ordinary minister” of a Sacrament we mean the one who usually does administer the Sacrament, and who has always the right to do so.

Q. 635.  Can a person who has not himself been baptized, and who does not even believe in the Sacrament of baptism, give it validly to another in case of necessity?  A. A person who has not himself been baptized, and who does not even believe in the Sacrament of baptism, can give it validly to another in case of necessity, provided:  (1) He has the use of reason; (2) Knows how to give baptism, and (3) Intends to do what the Church intends in the giving of the Sacrament.  Baptism is so necessary that God affords every opportunity for its reception.

Q. 636.  Why do the consequences of original sin, such as suffering, temptation, sickness, and death, remain after the sin has been forgiven in baptism?  A. The consequences of original sin, such as suffering, temptation, sickness and death, remain after the sin has been forgiven in baptism:  (1) To remind us of the misery that always follows sin; and (2) To afford us an opportunity of increasing our merit by bearing these hardships patiently.