Question Two of Chapter Seven of the Second Decade
Whether angels can consecrate the body of Christ
It is asked whether angels can consecrate the body of Christ.
To this it is answered negatively.
The reason is that the office of consecrating belongs to a human priest and not to an angel, according to that saying of Luke, chapter 22: “Take and divide among yourselves.”
The Gloss there says: “Take, you human priests, and divide and give.” Therefore, and so forth.
But it is asked why Christ did not give this power to angels.
It is answered that the power of dispensing the sacraments flows from Christ the head into members who possess the same human nature as Christ. But angels are not human members with Christ.
And when it is said by Gregory in the Easter homily, and is set down in the chapter Quod sit, On Consecration, distinction 2, that angels are present at the celebration of this sacrament, it is answered that angels are said to be present at the ministry of the Mass not by confecting, but by praying that our offerings may be acceptable to God.
These things are from Lord Alexander of Hales and Johannes de Turrecremata in the place cited above.