PRECEPTS OF THE CHURCH

EXPLANATION

• describe the minimum actions required from Catholics
• These requirements remind us of our sacrifice
• In addition to the commandments, the precepts must be followed

PRECEPT #1

• "You shall attend mass on Sundays and holy days
• Also, we must rest from labor that may interfere with our praise
• Catholics must attend mass each Sunday
• Holy days of obligation also must be attended

PRECEPT #2

• You shall confess your sins at least once a year
• Before receiving the Eucharist, we must have reconciliation
• "It continues Baptism's work of conversion"

PRECEPT #3

• Receive the sacrament of the Eucharist during Easter
• It is essential to recieve the Body and Blood of Christ during the Paschal feasts
• Gurantees a connection with the origin of the Christian liturgy

PRECEPT #4

• You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence
• Fasting and abstinence help us master our instincts
• Helps us learn the importance of sacrifice

PRECEPT #5

• "You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church"
• You can donate your time and talent to help the Church
• Always they think of generous ways to help the Church

GOING BEYOND THE PRECEPTS

• As Catholics, it is our duty to act generously and lovingly
• In addition, we should perform acts of charity and act kindly
• We should act graciously for ourselves, not because of the rules of Catholicism

FASTING

• Fasting is reducing the amount of food you eat
• When you fast, you eat less than normal
• On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday fasting is required for people ages 18 to 59
• Typically, while fasting you eat one normal meal, and two snacks

ABSTINENCE

• On Ashy Wednesday, and every other Friday before Easter, it is required to fast
• When you abstain, you do not eat meat
• Outside the U.S. it is required to fast on all Fridays