The Catechism of the Catholic Church includes a section on the Precepts of the Church. These are rules set to help us live moral lives and are bound to and nourished by liturgical life. The precepts are as follows:
You shall attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation.
Sunday, the day of the Resurrection, should be treated differently from the other days of the week. We make the day holy by attending Mass and refraining from doing unnecessary work.
Holy Days of Obligation, should be marked in the same way.
You shall attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation.
Sunday, the day of the Resurrection, should be treated differently from the other days of the week. We make the day holy by attending Mass and refraining from doing unnecessary work.
Holy Days of Obligation, should be marked in the same way.
These are the Holy Days of Obligation in the USA
- January 1, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God;
- Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter, the solemnity of the Ascension (often moved the following to Sunday)
- August 15, the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary;
- November 1, the solemnity of All Saints;
- December 8, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception;
- December 25, the solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
You shall confess your sins at least once a year.
This is especially obligated for those who are conscious of serious sin. Regular reception of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation helps to prepare us not only to receive the Eucharist but also to continue the process of conversion begun in Baptism.
You shall receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season.
Because the Holy Eucharist is both the source and summit of life for all in the Church, the Church teaches that every member for his or her own good must receive Communion at least once a year, but reception is encouraged as often as possible.
You shall observe the prescribed days of fasting and abstinence.
Fasting is refraining from food or drink to some degree. Abstinence is refraining from eating meat.
During Lent we observe fasting and abstinence on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. And the faithful are to abstain from meat on all Fridays of Lent.
In recognition of Friday as the day of the crucifixion, canon law calls for abstinence from eating meat on all Fridays of the year (see Canon 1251). The bishops of the United States have determined that outside of the Fridays of Lent, Catholics may choose to substitute another penance that is particularly meaningful to them, although they continue to recommend abstinence on all Fridays for Catholics.
You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church.
This means contributing to the support of the activities of the Church with time, talent, and financial resources, each according to their ability.
This is especially obligated for those who are conscious of serious sin. Regular reception of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation helps to prepare us not only to receive the Eucharist but also to continue the process of conversion begun in Baptism.
You shall receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season.
Because the Holy Eucharist is both the source and summit of life for all in the Church, the Church teaches that every member for his or her own good must receive Communion at least once a year, but reception is encouraged as often as possible.
You shall observe the prescribed days of fasting and abstinence.
Fasting is refraining from food or drink to some degree. Abstinence is refraining from eating meat.
During Lent we observe fasting and abstinence on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. And the faithful are to abstain from meat on all Fridays of Lent.
In recognition of Friday as the day of the crucifixion, canon law calls for abstinence from eating meat on all Fridays of the year (see Canon 1251). The bishops of the United States have determined that outside of the Fridays of Lent, Catholics may choose to substitute another penance that is particularly meaningful to them, although they continue to recommend abstinence on all Fridays for Catholics.
You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church.
This means contributing to the support of the activities of the Church with time, talent, and financial resources, each according to their ability.