nsidered regarding the
equipment of this sacrament: one of these belongs to the
representation of the events connected with our Lord's Passion; while
the other is connected with the reverence due to the sacrament, in
which Christ is contained verily, and not in figure only.

Hence we consecrate those things which we make use of in this
sacrament; both that we may show our reverence for the sacrament, and
in order to represent the holiness which is the effect of the Passion
of Christ, according to Heb. 13:12: "Jesus, that He might sanctify
the people by His own blood," etc.

Reply Obj. 1: This sacrament ought as a rule to be celebrated in a
house, whereby the Church is signified, according to 1 Tim. 3:15:
"That thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the
house of God, which is the Church of the living God." Because
"outside the Church there is no place for the true sacrifice," as
Augustine says (Liber Sentent. Prosp. xv). And because the Church was
not to be confined within the territories of the Jewish people, but
was to be established throughout the whole world, therefore Christ's
Passion was not celebrated within the city of the Jews, but in the
open country, that so the whole world might serve as a house for
Christ's Passion. Nevertheless, as is said in De Consecr., dist. 1,
"if a church be not to hand, we permit travelers to celebrate mass in
the open air, or in a tent, if there be a consecrated altar-table to
hand, and the other requisites belonging to the sacred function."

Reply Obj. 2: The house in which this sacrament is celebrated denotes
the Church, and is termed a church; and so it is fittingly
consecrated, both to represent the holiness which the Church acquired
from the Passion, as well as to denote the holiness required of them
who have to receive this sacrament. By the altar Christ Himself is
signified, of Whom the Apostle says (Heb. 13:15): "Through Him we
offer a sacrifice of praise to God." Hence the consecration of the
altar signifies Christ's holiness, of which it was said (Luke 1:35):
"The Holy one born of thee shall be called the Son of God." Hence we
read in De Consecr., dist. 1: "It has seemed pleasing for the altars
to be consecrated not merely with the anointing of chrism, but
likewise with the priestly blessing."

And therefore, as a rule, it is not lawful to celebrate this
sacrament except in a consecrated house. Hence it is enacted (De
Consecr., dist. 1): "Let no priest