ined for the same end, because every
sacrament is efficacious in producing its effect. Therefore, since
both Confirmation and the Eucharist are ordained for perfection, as
Dionysius says (Eccl. Hier. iv), it seems that the Eucharist is not a
sacrament, since Confirmation is one, as stated above (Q. 65, A. 1;
Q. 72, A. 1).

Obj. 2: Further, in every sacrament of the New Law, that which comes
visibly under our senses causes the invisible effect of the
sacrament, just as cleansing with water causes the baptismal
character and spiritual cleansing, as stated above (Q. 63, A. 6; Q.
66, AA. 1, 3, 7). But the species of bread and wine, which are the
objects of our senses in this sacrament, neither produce Christ's
true body, which is both reality and sacrament, nor His mystical
body, which is the reality only in the Eucharist. Therefore, it seems
that the Eucharist is not a sacrament of the New Law.

Obj. 3: Further, sacraments of the New Law, as having matter, are
perfected by the use of the matter, as Baptism is by ablution, and
Confirmation by signing with chrism. If, then, the Eucharist be a
sacrament, it would be perfected by the use of the matter, and not by
its consecration. But this is manifestly false, because the words
spoken in the consecration of the matter are the form of this
sacrament, as will be shown later on (Q. 78, A. 1). Therefore the
Eucharist is not a sacrament.

_On the contrary,_ It is said in the Collect [*Postcommunion "pro
vivis et defunctis"]: "May this Thy Sacrament not make us deserving
of punishment."

_I answer that,_ The Church's sacraments are ordained for helping man
in the spiritual life. But the spiritual life is analogous to the
corporeal, since corporeal things bear a resemblance to spiritual.
Now it is clear that just as generation is required for corporeal
life, since thereby man receives life; and growth, whereby man is
brought to maturity: so likewise food is required for the
preservation of life. Consequently, just as for the spiritual life
there had to be Baptism, which is spiritual generation; and
Confirmation, which is spiritual growth: so there needed to be the
sacrament of the Eucharist, which is spiritual food.

Reply Obj. 1: Perfection is twofold. The first lies within man
himself; and he attains it by growth: such perfection belongs to
Confirmation. The other is the perfection which comes to man from the
addition of food, or clothing, or something of the kind; and such