2683. Reception of a Sacrament from an Unworthy Minister.—May a Sacrament be received from a minister who, to one’s certain knowledge, cannot give it without sin on account of unworthiness (such as a state of sin or censure)?
(a) _Per se_, this is unlawful, for it is cooperation with sacrilege and is often attended by scandal and danger of perversion to self.
(b) _Per accidens_, this is lawful, for material cooperation is justified when a proportionately grave reason exists (1515 sqq.). Moreover, often the minister can put himself in the state of grace before he gives the Sacrament, or can be excused from sacrilege on account of the necessity. The less the irreverence or danger of scandal, the less need be the reason for asking or taking a Sacrament from an unworthy person. If the minister is a sinner or is under ordinary suspension or other censure, a serious reason of spiritual advantage suffices (e.g., the opportunity to make the Easter duty); if the minister is under sentence (Canon 2261 n. 3), only danger of death suffices; if the minister is a heretic or schismatic, only extreme need suffices, and the danger of scandal and perversion must be avoided.
2684. Sacramentals.—The sacramentals are the sacred things (e.g., rosaries, scapulars, agnus deis) and actions (e.g., consecrations, blessings, exorcisms) used by the Church in imitation of the Sacraments to obtain through her intercession blessings chiefly of a spiritual sort (Canon 1144).
(a) Necessity.—Our Lord gave to the Church the power of instituting sacramentals, and certain of those used by the Church are but developments of the blessings and exorcisms that He used. Some of the sacramentals are commanded by the Church (viz, those that are used in the administration of the Sacraments or in other sacred services); others are recommended, but not commanded.
(b) Use.—The virtue of religion requires that the sacramentals be administered, received and treated with devotion and respect, the extremes of irreligion and superstition being avoided (see 2244). The laws of the Church on the ministers, recipients, and rites of the sacramentals are treated in works on Canon Law and liturgy.
Art. 2: BAPTISM; CONFIRMATION; THE EUCHARIST; THE SACRIFICE OF THE MASS
(_Summa Theologica_, III, qq. 66-83.)
2685. The general duties of the ministers and recipients of the Sacraments have been outlined in the previous Article. The principles therein given are the basis of the special duties that pertain to each of the seven Sacraments. In this and the remaining Articles, therefore, it will suffice to apply without explaining anew the rules already given and to add the special details proper to each Sacrament.
2686. The Sacrament of Baptism.—The first and most essential Sacrament is Baptism (Greek, washing), which may be defined: “The Sacrament of regeneration by water in the word” (Catechism of the Council of Trent, page 163). The internal grace of the Sacrament is expressed by regeneration, the external sign by water and the word.