Listed below are the key Church laws known as the precepts of the Church. Review the precepts and the requirement for Catholics to keep them. Use the accompanying questions for a discussion or journal-writing activity. Non-Catholics can answer the questions in terms of “if they were Catholic.”
1. You shall attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation and rest from servile labor.
- What are the times of the weekend Masses at your parish?
- Which time do you prefer to celebrate Mass? Why?
2. You shall confess your sins at least once a year.
- What value do you find in the celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation?
- When are natural times during the year that you celebrate this sacrament?
3. You shall receive the Sacrament of Eucharist at least during the Easter season.
- What is a prayer or reflection you say to yourself after receiving Holy Communion?
- Compare your feelings about the Eucharist now as to when you received your First Communion?
4. You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church.
- How does maintaining your physical health related to being spiritually fit?
- What are the benefits of days of fasting and abstinence? Should the Church have more of these days?
5. You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church.
- How might you divide your charitable donations among your parish and other organizations?
- What percentage of a person’s income is reasonable to expect to be allowed for charity?
