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334 • Part III. Christian Morality: The Faith Lived
In addition to presenting the foundations for Christian morality,
the
Catechism of the Catholic Church
includes a section on the
Precepts of the Church. These are rules set in the context of a
moral life, bound to and nourished by liturgical life. The obligatory
character of these positive laws decreed by the pastoral authori-
ties is meant to encourage on the part of the faithful the indis-
pensable foundations for their lives as Catholics. The precepts are
as follows:
•
You shall attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of
Obligation. Sunday, the day of the Resurrection, should be
treated differently from the other days of the week. We do
that in making the day holy by attending Mass and refraining
from doing unnecessary work. Holy Days of Obligation, when
we celebrate special feasts of Jesus, the Blessed Mother, and
the saints, should be marked in the same way.
•
You shall confess your sins at least once a year. This obliges
in particular those who are conscious of serious sin. Regular
reception of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation
helps to prepare us not only to receive the Eucharist but also
to continue the process of conversion begun in Baptism.
•
You shall receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist at least dur-
ing the Easter season. In the United States, this extends from
the First Sunday of Lent to Trinity Sunday. Because the Holy
Eucharist is both the source and summit of life for all in the
Church, the Church teaches that every member for his or her
own good must receive Communion minimally at least once
a year.
•
You shall observe the prescribed days of fasting and absti-
nence.
Fasting
is refraining from food or drink to some
THE PRECEPTS OF THE CHURCH
(SEE CCC, NOS. 2041-2043)