things, and not
merely in one: thus the power of Baptism lies both in the words and
in the water. Accordingly the consecrating power is not merely in the
words, but likewise in the power delivered to the priest in his
consecration and ordination, when the bishop says to him: "Receive
the power of offering up the Sacrifice in the Church for the living
as well as for the dead." For instrumental power lies in several
instruments through which the chief agent acts.

Reply Obj. 2: A devout layman is united with Christ by spiritual
union through faith and charity, but not by sacramental power:
consequently he has a spiritual priesthood for offering spiritual
sacrifices, of which it is said (Ps. 1:19): "A sacrifice to God is an
afflicted spirit"; and (Rom. 12:1): "Present your bodies a living
sacrifice." Hence, too, it is written (1 Pet. 2:5): "A holy
priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices."

Reply Obj. 3: The receiving of this sacrament is not of such
necessity as the receiving of Baptism, as is evident from what was
said above (Q. 65, AA. 3, 4; Q. 80, A. 11, ad 2). And therefore,
although a layman can baptize in case of necessity, he cannot perform
this sacrament.

Reply Obj. 4: The bishop receives power to act on Christ's behalf
upon His mystical body, that is, upon the Church; but the priest
receives no such power in his consecration, although he may have it
by commission from the bishop. Consequently all such things as do not
belong to the mystical body are not reserved to the bishop, such as
the consecration of this sacrament. But it belongs to the bishop to
deliver, not only to the people, but likewise to priests, such things
as serve them in the fulfillment of their respective duties. And
because the blessing of the chrism, and of the holy oil, and of the
oil of the sick, and other consecrated things, such as altars,
churches, vestments, and sacred vessels, makes such things fit for
use in performing the sacraments which belong to the priestly duty,
therefore such consecrations are reserved to the bishop as the head
of the whole ecclesiastical order.
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SECOND ARTICLE [III, Q. 82, Art. 2]

Whether Several Priests Can Consecrate One and the Same Host?

Objection 1: It seems that several priests cannot consecrate one and
the same host. For it was said above (Q. 67, A. 6), that several
cannot at the same time baptize one individual. But the power of a
priest consecrating is not less t