Q. 607.  Give an example of the “right dispositions” for Penance and for the Holy Eucharist.  A. The right dispositions for Penance are:  (1) To confess all our mortal sins as we know them; (2) To be sorry for them, and (3) To have the determination never to commit them or others again.  The right dispositions for the Holy Eucharist are:  (1) To know what the Holy Eucharist is; (2) To be in a state of grace, and (3)—­except in special cases of sickness—­to be fasting from midnight.

Q. 608. {148} Can we receive the Sacraments more than once?  A. We can receive the Sacraments more than once, except Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders.

Q. 609. {149} 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.

Q. 610. {150} 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.

Q. 611. {151} 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.

Q. 612.  Can the Sacraments be given conditionally?  A. The Sacraments can be given conditionally as often as we doubt whether they were properly given before, or whether they can be validly given now.

Q. 613.  What do we mean by giving a Sacrament conditionally?  A. By giving a Sacrament conditionally we mean that the person administering the Sacrament intends to give it only in case it has not been given already or in case the person has the right dispositions for receiving it, though the dispositions cannot be discovered.

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.