Thomas Aquinas · 2849 of 3516
Article. 3 - Whether it is essential to this sacrament that the chrism which is its matter be previously consecrated by a bishop?
Objection 1: It seems that it is not essential to this , that the chrism, which is its matter, be previously by a bishop. For Baptism which bestows full remission of sins is not less efficacious than this . But, though the baptismal water receives a kind of blessing before being used for Baptism; yet this is not essential to the : since in a case of necessity it can be dispensed with. Therefore neither is it essential to this that the chrism should be previously by a bishop.
Objection 2: Further, the same should not be twice. But the matter is , in the very conferring of the , by the form of words wherein the is bestowed; hence Augustine says (Tract. lxxx in Joan.): "The word is added to the element, and this becomes a ." Therefore the chrism should not be before this is given.
Objection 3: Further, every employed in the is ordained to the bestowal of . But the sensible matter composed of oil and balm is not receptive of . Therefore it should not be .
On the contrary, Pope Innocent I says (Ep. ad Decent.): "Priests, when baptizing, may anoint the baptized with chrism, previously by a bishop: but they must not sign the brow with the same oil; this belongs to the bishop alone, when he gives the Paraclete." Now this is done in this . Therefore it is necessary for this that its matter be previously by a bishop.
I answer that, The of the is derived from Christ, as stated above (Q[64], A[3]). But it must be observed that Christ did use certain having a corporeal matter, viz. Baptism, and also the Eucharist. And consequently, from Christ's very act in using them, the matter of these received a certain aptitude to the perfection of the . Hence Chrysostom (Chromatius, In Matth. 3:15) says that "the waters of Baptism could never wash away the sins of believers, had they not been by contact with our Lord's body." And again, our Lord Himself "taking bread . . . blessed . . . and in like manner the chalice" (Mat. 26:26,27; Lk. 22:19, 20). For this reason there is no need for the matter of these to be blessed previously, since Christ's blessing is enough. And if any blessing be used, it belongs to the solemnity of the , not to its essence. But Christ did not make use of visible anointings, so as not to slight the invisible whereby He was "anointed above" His "fellows" (Ps. 44:8). And hence both chrism, and the holy oil, and the oil of the sick are blessed before being put to use. This suffices for the reply to the First Objection.
Reply to Objection 2: Each of the chrism has not the same object. For just as an instrument derives instrumental power in two ways, viz. when it receives the form of an instrument, and when it is moved by the principal agent; so too the matter needs a twofold , by one of which it becomes fit matter for the , while by the other it is applied to the production of the effect.
Reply to Objection 3: Corporeal matter is receptive of , not so as to be the subject of , but only as the instrument of , as explained above (Q[62], A[3]). And this matter is , either by Christ, or by a bishop, who, in the Church, impersonates Christ.