Saturday, February 12, 2011

Faith in Review...The Precepts of the Church

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2041-2043:

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 guarentee to the faithful the indispensable minimum in the spirit of prayer and moral effort, in the growth in love of God and neighbour:

The First Precept:  "You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation and rest from servile labour."

The Second Precept: "You shall confess your sins at least once a year."

The Third Precept: "You shall humbly receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season."

The Fourth Precept: "You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church."

The Fifth Precept: "You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church...according to [your] own ability."