_________________

FIRST ARTICLE [III, Q. 82, Art. 1]

Whether the Consecration of This Sacrament Belongs to a Priest Alone?

Objection 1: It seems that the consecration of this sacrament does
not belong exclusively to a priest. Because it was said above (Q. 78,
A. 4) that this sacrament is consecrated in virtue of the words,
which are the form of this sacrament. But those words are not
changed, whether spoken by a priest or by anyone else. Therefore, it
seems that not only a priest, but anyone else, can consecrate this
sacrament.

Obj. 2: Further, the priest performs this sacrament in the person of
Christ. But a devout layman is united with Christ through charity.
Therefore, it seems that even a layman can perform this sacrament.
Hence Chrysostom (Opus imperfectum in Matth., Hom. xliii) says that
"every holy man is a priest."

Obj. 3: Further, as Baptism is ordained for the salvation of mankind,
so also is this sacrament, as is clear from what was said above (Q.
74, A. 1; Q. 79, A. 2). But a layman can also baptize, as was stated
above (Q. 67, A. 3). Consequently, the consecration of this sacrament
is not proper to a priest.

Obj. 4: Further, this sacrament is completed in the consecration of
the matter. But the consecration of other matters such as the chrism,
the holy oil, and blessed oil, belongs exclusively to a bishop; yet
their consecration does not equal the dignity of the consecration of
the Eucharist, in which the entire Christ is contained. Therefore it
belongs, not to a priest, but only to a bishop, to perform this
sacrament.

_On the contrary,_ Isidore says in an Epistle to Ludifred (Decretals,
dist. 25): "It belongs to a priest to consecrate this sacrament of
the Lord's body and blood upon God's altar."

_I answer that,_ As stated above (Q. 78, AA. 1, 4), such is the
dignity of this sacrament that it is performed only as in the person
of Christ. Now whoever performs any act in another's stead, must do
so by the power bestowed by such a one. But as the power of receiving
this sacrament is conceded by Christ to the baptized person, so
likewise the power of consecrating this sacrament on Christ's behalf
is bestowed upon the priest at his ordination: for thereby he is put
upon a level with them to whom the Lord said (Luke 22:19): "Do this
for a commemoration of Me." Therefore, it must be said that it
belongs to priests to accomplish this sacrament.

Reply Obj. 1: The sacramental power is in several