SECTION 2 



THE MORAL REQUISITES OF WORTHY 

 RECEPTION 



Regarding the moral requisites of worthy re- 

 ception, a distinction must be drawn between 

 what is necessary for the validity of a Sacrament 

 and what is required for its licit and fruitful 

 reception. 



I. The valid reception of a Sacrament re- 

 quires : 



a) that the recipient be in the wayfaring state 

 (in statu viatoris) ; 



b) that (if he be an adult) he have the wish to 

 employ the Sacrament as a means of grace; 



c) that he be baptized. 



Baptism, according to an ancient saying, is the 

 door to the supernatural life. No other Sacra- 

 ment can be validly received without it. 1 



As regards the necessary intention, this is sup- 

 plied by the Church for infants, insane and weak- 

 minded persons, and adults who lack the full use 

 of reason. 2 When there is question of adminis- 



1 Cfr. Pohle-Preuss, The Sacra- Giehr, Die hi. Sakramente, Vol. I, 



ments, Vol. I, 2nd ed., pp. 238 sqq.; 2nd ed., pp. 158 sqq. 



Chr. Pesch, S.J., Praelect. Dogm., 2 Cfr. Matth. VIII, 5-10; XV, 



Vol. VI, 3rd ed., pp. 130 sqq.; N. 22-28; Mark IX, 16-26. 



"5 



