The minister of a sacrament must determine the purpose of his action by an act of his will, called intention. Therefore for a valid sacrament, the minister must have the intention of making and administering a sacrament, "at least of doing what the Church does". This intention must be interior, and at least virtual. The adult recipient of a sacrament must have a positive intention to receive a sacrament, except in the sacraments of Penance and Matrimony, in which cases an habitual intention suffices.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
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