THE PRECEPTS

WHAT ARE THE PRECEPTS?

• The absolute minimum actions to be done to be considered a Catholic
• They remind us that Christian life needs commitment to prayer and participation.
• Represent minimal level of moral living along with the Ten Commandments

PRECEPT 1

• You shall attend Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor.
• If you are I'll, tending to the ill, or in the wilderness, it is not a grave sin to miss Mass.

PRECEPT 2

• We must sanctify Sunday and all the holy days of obligation.
• This requires attending Mass
• It also requires resting of works which could impede the sanctification.

PRECEPT 3

• You shall confess your sins at least once a year.

PRECEPT 4

• We must prepare for the Eucharist by means of Reconciliation.
• This sacrament continues Baptism's work of conversion and forgiveness.

PRECEPT 5

• You shall receive the Eucharist at least during the Easter season.
• guarantees a minimum the reception of the Body and Blood in connection with the Paschal feasts, the origin and center of the liturgy

FASTING

• You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church
• Sign of repentance, turning away from sin and back to God
• Fasting is reducing the amount of food eaten to below normal levels.
• All Catholics age 18 to 59 are required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
• You are excused from fasting if you have a legitimate need to eat a normal amount of food on fast days.

ABSTINANCE

• Abstinence means not eating meat (fish is not considered meat)
• Catholics 14 and older are required to observe abstinence on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays in Lent.
• Outside the U.S., this is required on all Fridays, in honor of the Passion of Jesus on Good Friday.
• Those in the U.S. are urged to do this too, but may perform a different charitable act.
• If fasting honestly causes you to be unable to fulfill your required tasks, it is uncharitable to fast— the law of fasting would not apply.

GO BEYOND

• The precepts are only the minimum
• Attend Mass more than once a week
• Receive the Eucharist at every Mass
• Donate to the material needs of the Church and the less fortunate.
• Find a confessor and a spiritual director for guidance