Sancta Liturgia #1 - The "Pro Multis" Question

(First of two replies to a post at Sancta Liturgica.)

One of the articles you linked to, The "Pro Multis" Question (9/21/03), has at least two errors I hope you will permit me to point out.

Fr. Carleton says that according to St. Thomas, the form of Consecration consists only of the words "This is the chalice of My Blood" and does not include the words that follow. However, in Part III, question 78, article 3 of his Summa Theologica, [http://www.ccel.org/a/aquinas/summa/TP/ TP078.html#TPQ78A3THEP1]
St. Thomas makes it clear that the form consists of "This is the chalice of My blood, of the New and Eternal Testament, the Mystery of Faith, which shall be shed for you and for many unto the forgiveness of sins." Article 1, which Fr. Carleton references, addresses the question of whether additional words are a necessary part of the form, such as the words "Take and eat", or even all of the words of the Mass together. St. Thomas seems to be using only the first few words of the formula for the consecration of the wine to stand for the whole formula in his discussion in article 1. It is not until article 3 that he specifically addresses the question of what the form of the Sacrament is.


Shawn McElhinney says the underlying Greek words are hoi pollen ("the many"). However, this is a mistake. The verses, in Greek, do not have a definite article before the Greek word for "many". You can see the Greek and English side by side here:

Matthew 26:28
http://www.sacrednamebible.com/kjvstrongs/B40C026.htm#V28
Mark 14:24
http://www.sacrednamebible.com/kjvstrongs/B41C014.htm#V24

For comparison, here is a verse where the underlying Greek really does have the phrase "the many":

Romans 5:19
http://www.sacrednamebible.com/kjvstrongs/B45C005.htm#V19