Panis Vitae: A Thomistic Classification of the Eucharist as Necessary for Salvation

In St. Thomas’s sacramental theology, he gives two classifications of the necessity for salvation applicable to the Sacraments; simpliciter and convenienter. In the former, he places baptism, penance, and holy orders. In the latter confirmation, extreme unction, and matrimony. While it is clear that Aquinas holds that the Eucharist is the greatest of the Sacraments and necessary for salvation, he never says what type of necessity it falls under. This article is an attempt to provide a Thomistic classification of the Eucharist as necessary for salvation, based on the principles elaborated by Thomas, combined with a treatment of John 6, which Aquinas adverts to in his article on the necessity of the Sacraments for salvation in STh III, Q. 65, a. 4.