345 PRECEPTS OF THE CHURCH

YOUCAT Lesson 345

YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth

345  What are the ”Five precepts of the Church”?

(1) You shall attend Mass on Sunday and holy days of obligation and abstain from work or activities that offend against the character of the day.  (2) You shall receive the sacrament of Penance at least once a year.  (3) You shall receive the Eucharist at least during the Easter season.  (4) You shall observe the prescribed seasons of fasting and days of abstinence (Ash Wednesday and Good Friday).  (5) You shall contribute to the material support of the Church.  [2041-2043]

Distribution of the Eucharist at the Cross Plains, WI Catholic church. …..345

“Nothing may have priority over the liturgy.”  St. Benedict of Nursia (ca. 480-547)

[2042-2043]

II. THE PRECEPTS OF THE CHURCH

2041 The precepts of the Church are set in the context of a moral life bound to and nourished by liturgical life. The obligatory character of these positive laws decreed by the pastoral authorities is meant to guarantee to the faithful the very necessary minimum in the spirit of prayer and moral effort, in the growth in love of God and neighbor: --Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

2042 The first precept ("You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor") requires the faithful to sanctify the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord as well as the principal liturgical feasts honoring the mysteries of the Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the saints; in the first place, by participating in the Eucharistic celebration, in which the Christian community is gathered, and by resting from those works and activities which could impede such a sanctification of these days.( Compare Codex Iuris Canonici, cann. 1246-1248; Corpus Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, cann. 881 § 1, § 2, § 4.)⁸² –CCC

The second precept ("You shall confess your sins at least once a year") ensures preparation for the Eucharist by the reception of the sacrament of reconciliation, which continues Baptism's work of conversion and forgiveness.( Compare Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 989; Corpus Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 719.)⁸³ –CCC

The third precept ("You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season") guarantees as a minimum the reception of the Lord's Body and Blood in connection with the Paschal feasts, the origin and center of the Christian liturgy.( Compare Codex Iuris Canonici can. 920; Corpus Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, cann. 708; 881 § 3.)⁸⁴ --CCC

2043 The fourth precept ("You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church") ensures the times of ascesis and penance which prepare us for the liturgical feasts and help us acquire mastery over our instincts and freedom of heart.( Compare Codex Iuris Canonici, cann. 1249-1251; Corpus Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 882.)⁸⁵ –CCC

The fifth precept ("You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church") means that the faithful are obliged to assist with the material needs of the Church, each according to his own ability.( Compare Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 222; Corpus Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium can. 25; Furthermore, episcopal conferences can establish other ecclesiastical precepts for their own territories (Compare Codex Iuris Canonici, can.455).⁸⁶ –CCC

The faithful also have the duty of providing for the material needs of the Church, each according to his own abilities.( Cf. Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 222)^{, 87} --CCC