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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.
Objection 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 (Question 60, Article
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.
Objection 3: Further, this sacrament is perfected in the
consecration of the matter, as stated above (Article 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 to Objection 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 to Objection 2: The bread and wine are materially several
signs, yet formally and perfectively one, inasmuch as one refreshment
is prepared therefrom.
Reply to Objection 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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