Whether the Eucharist Is One Sacrament or Several?
Objection 1: It seems that the Eucharist is not one sacrament but
several, because it is said in the Collect [*Postcommunion "pro vivis
et defunctis"]: "May the sacraments which we have received purify us,
O Lord": and this is said on account of our receiving the Eucharist.
Consequently the Eucharist is not one sacrament but several.
Obj. 2: Further, it is impossible for genera to be multiplied without
the species being multiplied: thus it is impossible for one man to be
many animals. But, as stated above (Q. 60, A. 1), sign is the genus
of sacrament. Since, then, there are more signs than one, to wit,
bread and wine, it seems to follow that here must be more sacraments
than one.
Obj. 3: Further, this sacrament is perfected in the consecration of
the matter, as stated above (A. 1, ad 3). But in this sacrament there
is a double consecration of the matter. Therefore, it is a twofold
sacrament.
_On the contrary,_ The Apostle says (1 Cor. 10:17): "For we, being
many, are one bread, one body, all that partake of one bread": from
which it is clear that the Eucharist is the sacrament of the Church's
unity. But a sacrament bears the likeness of the reality whereof it
is the sacrament. Therefore the Eucharist is one sacrament.
_I answer that,_ As stated in _Metaph._ v, a thing is said to be one,
not only from being indivisible, or continuous, but also when it is
complete; thus we speak of one house, and one man. A thing is one in
perfection, when it is complete through the presence of all that is
needed for its end; as a man is complete by having all the members
required for the operation of his soul, and a house by having all the
parts needful for dwelling therein. And so this sacrament is said to
be one. Because it is ordained for spiritual refreshment, which is
conformed to corporeal refreshment. Now there are two things required
for corporeal refreshment, namely, food, which is dry sustenance, and
drink, which is wet sustenance. Consequently, two things concur for
the integrity of this sacrament, to wit, spiritual food and spiritual
drink, according to John: "My flesh is meat indeed, and My blood is
drink indeed." Therefore, this sacrament is materially many, but
formally and perfectively one.
Reply Obj. 1: The same Collect at first employs the plural: "May the
sacraments which we have received purify us"; and afterwards the
singular number: "May this sacrament of Thine not make us worthy of
punishment": so as to show that this sacrament is in a measure
several, yet simply one.
Reply Obj. 2: The bread and wine are materially several signs, yet
formally and perfectively one, inasmuch as one refreshment is
prepared therefrom.
Reply Obj. 3: From the double consecration of the matter no more can
be gathered than that the sacrament is several materially, as stated
above.
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