Baltimore Catechism No. 2 (of 4) | Page 8

Sacraments
always give grace, if we receive them with the right dispositions.
148. Q. Can we receive the Sacraments more than once? A. We can
receive the Sacraments more than once, except Baptism, Confirmation,
and Holy Orders.
149. Q. Why can we not receive Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy
Orders more than once? A. We cannot receive Baptism, Confirmation,
and Holy Orders more than once, because they imprint a character in
the soul.
150. Q. What is the character which these Sacraments imprint in the
soul? A. The character which these Sacraments imprint in the soul is a
spiritual mark which remains forever.
151. Q. Does this character remain in the soul even after death? A. This
character remains in the soul even after death: for the honor and glory
of those who are saved; for the shame and punishment of those who are
lost.

LESSON FOURTEENTH ON BAPTISM
152. Q. What is Baptism? A. Baptism is a Sacrament which cleanses us
from original sin, makes us Christians, children of God, and heirs of
heaven.
153. Q. 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.
154. Q. Is Baptism necessary to salvation? A. Baptism is necessary to
salvation, because without it we cannot enter into the kingdom of
heaven.
155. Q. Who can administer Baptism? A. The priest is the ordinary
minister of Baptism; but in case of necessity any one who has the use

of reason may baptize.
156. Q. How is Baptism given? A. Whoever baptizes should pour water
on the head of the person to be baptized, and say, while pouring the
water: I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost.
157. Q. How many kinds of Baptism are there? A. There are three
kinds of Baptism: Baptism of water, of desire, and of blood.
158. Q. What is Baptism of water? A. Baptism of water is that which is
given by pouring water on the head of the person to be baptized, and
saying at the same time: I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
159. Q. What is Baptism of desire? A. Baptism of desire is an ardent
wish to receive Baptism, and to do all that God has ordained for our
salvation.
160. Q. What is Baptism of blood? A. Baptism of blood is the shedding
of one's blood for the faith of Christ.
161. Q. Is Baptism of desire or of blood sufficient to produce the
effects of Baptism of water? A. Baptism of desire or of blood is
sufficient to produce the effects of the Baptism of water, if it is
impossible to receive the Baptism of water.
162. Q. What do we promise in Baptism? A. In Baptism we promise to
renounce the devil with all his works and pomps.
163. Q. Why is the name of a saint given in Baptism? A. The name of a
saint is given in Baptism in order that the person baptized may imitate
his virtues and have him for a protector.
164. Q. Why are godfathers and godmothers given in Baptism? A.
Godfathers and godmothers are given in Baptism in order that they may
promise, in the name of the child, what the child itself would promise if
it had the use of reason.
165. Q. What is the obligation of a godfather and a godmother? A. The
obligation of a godfather and a godmother is to instruct the child in its
religious duties, if the parents neglect to do so or die.

LESSON FIFTEENTH ON CONFIRMATION
166. Q. What is Confirmation? A. Confirmation is a Sacrament through
which we receive the Holy Ghost to make us strong and perfect
Christians and soldiers of Jesus Christ.

167. Q. Who administers Confirmation? A. The bishop is the ordinary
minister of Confirmation.
168. Q. How does the bishop give Confirmation? A. The bishop
extends his hands over those who are to be confirmed, prays that they
may receive the Holy Ghost, and anoints the forehead of each with holy
chrism in the form of a cross.
169. Q. What is holy chrism? A. Holy chrism is a mixture of olive-oil
and balm, consecrated by the bishop.
170. Q. What does the bishop say in anointing the person he confirms?
A. In anointing the person he confirms the bishop says: I sign thee with
the sign of the cross, and I confirm thee with the chrism of salvation, in
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
171. Q. What is meant by anointing the forehead with chrism in the