Intention Quote by Joseph Pohle

““minister begins with an actual intention, but is distracted while administering the Sacrament, he has a virtual in tention. Thirdly, an habitual intention is one that once actually existed, but of the present continuance of which there is no positive trace. The most that can be said of it is that it has never been retracted. A priest subject to somnam bulism, who would administer Baptism in his sleep, might be said to act with an habitual intention. Fourthly, an interpretative intention is an intention that would be conceived if one thought of it, but which for want of thinking of it, is not elicited. It is simply the purpose which it is assumed a man would have had in a given contingency, had he given thought to the matter. There has been and is no actual movement of the will. 42 An intention of some sort is necessary in the min ister for the valid administration of a Sacrament. It need not be actual. Distractions cannot always be avoided. A virtual intention is sufficient. Not so, however, an habitual or interpretative intention, which is really not in existence while the action is performed, and consequently can have no effect upon it.””

— Joseph Pohle