Precepts of the Church

THE FIVE PRECEPTS OF THE CHURCH

The so-called "Five Precepts of the Church" are those things which all Catholics are obliged to do and are considered the minimum requirements in prayer and morality expected of each and every Roman Catholic person (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2041-2043). The five precepts are as follows:

1) On all Sundays of the year, as well as all Holy Days of Obligation, attend Mass and rest from all unnecessary servile labor.

2) Confess your sins to a Priest in the Sacrament of Confession at least once per year.

3) Receive Holy Communion at least once per year during the Easter Season (from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday).

4) Observe the days of fasting and abstinence from meat established by the Church. (No meat on Fridays during Lent, no meat on Fridays during the year unless a different penance is substituted, fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday).

5) Help provide for the needs of the Church. (Giving of your time, your talents, and your financial resources)