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Objection 1: It would seem that this sacrament was not instituted by
Christ. For mention is made in the Gospel of the institution of
those sacraments which Christ instituted, for instance the Eucharist
and Baptism. But no mention is made of Extreme Unction. Therefore
it was not instituted by Christ.
Objection 2: Further, the Master says explicitly (Sent. iv,
D, 23) that it was instituted by the apostles. Therefore Christ
did not institute it Himself.
Objection 3: Further, Christ showed forth the sacraments which He
instituted, as in the case of the Eucharist and Baptism. But He
did not bestow this sacrament on anyone. Therefore He did not
institute it Himself.
On the contrary, The sacraments of the New Law are more excellent
than those of the Old Law. But all the sacraments of the Old Law
were instituted by God. Therefore much more do all the sacraments of
the New Law owe their institution to Christ Himself.
Further, to make an institution and to remove it belongs to the same
authority. Now the Church, who enjoys the same authority in the
successors of the apostles, as the apostles themselves possessed,
cannot do away with the sacrament of Extreme Unction. Therefore the
apostles did not institute it, but Christ Himself.
I answer that, There are two opinions on this point. For some hold
that this sacrament and Confirmation were not instituted by Christ
Himself, but were left by Him to be instituted by the apostles; for
the reason that these two sacraments, on account of the plenitude of
grace conferred in them, could not be instituted before the mission of
the Holy Ghost in perfect plenitude. Hence they are sacraments of
the New Law in such a way as not to be foreshadowed in the Old Law.
But this argument is not very cogent, since, just as Christ, before
His Passion, promised the mission of the Holy Ghost in His
plenitude, so could He institute these sacraments.
Wherefore others hold that Christ Himself instituted all the
sacraments, but that He Himself published some, which present
greater difficulty to our belief, while he reserved some to be
published by the apostles, such as Extreme Unction and
Confirmation. This opinion seems so much the more probable, as the
sacraments belong to the foundation of the Law, wherefore their
institution pertains to the lawgiver; besides, they derive their
efficacy from their institution, which efficacy is given them by God
alone.
Reply to Objection 1: Our Lord did and said many things which are
not related in the Gospel. For the evangelists were intent on handing
down chiefly those things that were necessary for salvation or concerned
the building of the ecclesiastical edifice. Hence they related the
institution by Christ of Baptism, Penance, the Eucharist and
orders, rather than of Extreme Unction and Confirmation, which are
not necessary for salvation, nor do they concern the building or
division of the Church. As a matter of fact however an anointing done
by the apostles is mentioned in the Gospel (Mk. 6:13) where it
is said that they "anointed the sick with oil."
Reply to Objection 2: The Master says it was instituted by the
apostles because its institution was made known to us by the teaching of
the apostles.
Reply to Objection 3: Christ did not show forth any sacrament
except such as He received by way of example: but He could not be a
recipient of Penance and Extreme Unction, since there was no sin in
Him: hence He did not show them forth.
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