Precept

A command from God or legitimate human authority.

The Church since the Middle Ages has prescribed certain precepts that constitute the minimum expected of a Catholic. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, at § 2041, 2042 and 2043, teaches the precepts for the Church worldwide.

CCC § 2041

» “The obligatory character of these positive laws decreed by the pastoral authorities is meant to guarantee to the faithful the very necessary minimum in the spirit of prayer and moral effort, in the growth in love of God and neighbor.”

CCC § 2042

» The first precept (“You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor”) requires the faithful to sanctify the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord as well as the principal liturgical feasts honoring the mysteries of the Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the saints; in the first place, by participating in the Eucharistic celebration, in which the Christian community is gathered, and by resting from those works and activities which could impede such a sanctification of these days.

» The second precept (“You shall confess your sins at least once a year”) ensures preparation for the Eucharist by the reception of the sacrament of reconciliation, which continues Baptism’s work of conversion and forgiveness.

» The third precept (“You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season”) guarantees as a minimum the reception of the Lord’s Body and Blood in connection with the Paschal feasts, the origin and center of the Christian liturgy.

CCC § 2043

» The fourth precept (“You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church”) ensures the times of ascesis and penance which prepare us for the liturgical feasts and help us acquire mastery over our instincts and freedom of heart.

» The fifth precept (“You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church”) means that the faithful are obliged to assist with the material needs of the Church, each according to his own ability.

Marty’s Explanation

The precepts requiring “once a year” Confession and Holy Communion refer to cases in which it is not practical for a Catholic to attend more often. For example, a Catholic housebound by poor health, or who has no car and no one to pick him up, or who lives in an area so remote that there is no Catholic church within driving distance, may be unable to go to a church at all. In such cases, the Church requires that he make an extraordinary effort to get to a church, or that a priest make an extraordinary effort to come to his home, so that he can receive the sacraments at least once a year.