THE FIVE PRECEPTS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

Home About Bible Studies Documents Charts Contact Links

In order to nourish the moral and liturgical life of the Body of Christ Mother Church has established five positive laws, decreed by the pastoral authorities, which are meant to identify the minimum spiritual commitment required of the faithful. These five laws are known as The Precepts of the Church and are found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) at numbers 1388-9; 1457; 2041-43; 2177, 80-81. In addition to the duty of providing for the material needs of the Church through time, talent and treasure [CCC# 1351] the minimum Covenant obligations of the People of God include:

The faithful are required to attend the celebration of the Eucharist every Lord's Day, Sunday or Saturday vigil, unless excused for a serious reason [i.e. illness or the care of infants]. CCC #1388-9; 2042; 2180

The faithful are required to confess sins at least once a year. CCC #1457; 2042

The faithful are required to receive Holy Communion at least once a year during the Easter season [but are encouraged to receive Christ in the Eucharist daily if possible]. CCC #1389; 2042

In addition to the Lord's Day the faithful are required to keep all Holy Days of Obligation. CCC #2043; 2177; 2180; 2185; 2187-8; 2192-3

The faithful are required to observe the prescribed days of fasting and abstinence. CCC #1387; 1438; 2043

In addition to the Sunday obligation to worship on the Lord's Day, it is a mortal sin to purposely choose to miss worshipping on the Lord's Day [CCC #2181], there are currently five annual Holy Days of Obligation celebrated in the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. IT IS A SERIOUS SIN TO PURPOSELY MISS THE CELEBRATION OF ANY ONE OF THESE FEASTS (see precept #4 listed above)

The conference of Bishops can abolish certain holy days of obligation or transfer them to a Sunday with prior approval of the Apostolic See. Under these rules certain Holy Days observed in the United States have been moved to the next Sunday while others have been eliminated as required holy days. CCC #2177: "The Sunday celebration of the Lord's Day and his Eucharist is the heart of the Church's life. Sunday is the day on which the paschal mystery celebrated in light of the apostolic tradition and is to be observed as the foremost holy day of obligation in the universal Church."

THE ANNUAL HOLY DAYS OF OBLIGATION
OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES

1. FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION	December 8^th: The conception without original sin of Mary the Mother of God.
2. FEAST OF THE CHRIST MASS	December 25^th: Celebration of the birth of the Savior.
3. FEAST OF MARY MOTHER OF GOD	January 1^st: This feast celebrates Jesus' naming, circumcision, and entrance into the Old Covenant Church on the 8th day after His birth (Leviticus 12:1-4; Luke 2:21) and honors His Virgin Mother.
4. FEAST OF THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD	Forty days from Easter Sunday (in the US this feast may be celebrated on the next closest Sunday, according to the discretion of the local bishop)
5. FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD	August 15^th: The Virgin Mary entered body and soul into heaven
6. FEAST OF ALL SAINTS	November 1^st: Celebration our brothers and sisters who have already entered the beautific presence of the Most Holy Trinity.