,
Confirmation, and Holy Orders.

Baptism is so important that if we do not receive it we cannot receive
any other of the Sacraments. Now, to administer Baptism validly, that
is, properly, everything must be done exactly as Our Lord intended and
the Church teaches. The proper kind of water and all the exact words
must be used. Also, the water must touch the body, that is, the head if
possible. Now persons not knowing well how to baptize might neglect some
of these things, and thus the person would not be baptized. The Church
wishes to be certain that all its children are baptized; so when there
is any doubt about the first Baptism, it baptizes again conditionally,
that is, the priest says in giving the Baptism over again: If you are
not baptized already, I baptize you now. Therefore if the person was
rightly baptized the first time, the second ceremony has no effect,
because the priest does not intend to give Baptism a second time. But if
the first Baptism was not rightly given, then the second takes effect.
In either case Baptism is given only once; for if the first was valid,
the second is not given; and if the first was invalid, the second is
given.

Converts to the Church are generally baptized conditionally, because
there is doubt about the validity of the Baptism they received.

The Sacraments may be given conditionally when we doubt if they were or
can be validly given.

*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.

"A character." It is a spiritual character, and remains forever, so that
whether the person is in Heaven or Hell this mark will be seen. It will
show that those having it were Christians, who received Baptism,
Confirmation, or Holy Orders. If they are in Heaven, these characters
will shine out to their honor, and will show how well they used the
grace God gave them. If they are in Hell, these characters will be to
their disgrace, and show how many gifts and graces God bestowed upon
them, and how shamefully they abused all.

*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