absolution and administer Extreme Unction conditionally.

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 co