Part II, The Commandments: The Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Commandments of the Church

TPIE THIRD FOURTH AND FIFTH COMMANDMENTS OF THE CHURCH.

1. What are we commanded by the Third and Fourth Commandments of the Church?

By the Third and Fourth Commandments we are commanded, 1. To confess our sins faithfully at least once a year; and 2. To receive the Holy Communion worthily at Easter or during the Easter-time; that is, from the first Sunday in Lent till Trinity Sunday, inclusive.

2. To whom must the confession be made?

To any Priest authorized by the Bishop to hear confessions.

In former times the faithful were commanded by the Church to confess their sins once a year to their own Parish Priest, or to ask leave of him if they wished to confess to another Priest. Hence comes this form of the Commandment, which is still in use in some dioceses: 'Thou shalt confess thy sins once a year to thy Parish Priest, or, with his permission, to another. '

3. Where are we to receive Easter Communion?

Conformably to a precept of the " Church, we are to receive it in the parish church, or at least notify our pastor if we receive it elsewhere.

4. At what age are we obliged to go to Confession and Communion?

Decrees of Popes and laws of the Church make it clear that at the age of reason, which is about seven years, all are bound by the precept of Easter Communion. The parents, as well as the confessor and pastor, are obliged to see that children make their first communion in time to fulfill this duty.

In a decree dated August, 1910, the Sacred Congregation of the Sacraments declares that the obligation of satisfying the precepts of both communion and confession begins when the child commences to reason, which, the decree says, is at the age of seven or thereabouts.

5. Why has the Church commanded that the Blessed Sacrament should be received during Easter-time? .

6. Because Jesus Christ instituted the Holy Eucharist within this time; and 2. Because within this time He died, and rose again from the dead, and, therefore, we also should die to sin and lead a new life.

6. Ought we to think it sufficient to receive Holy Communion once in the year?

No; it is the intention and most earnest desire of Holy Mother Church that we should frequently, and even daily, partake of this august Sacrament.

The Church does not bind us under pain of sin to go oftener than once a year at Easter-time, but her laws manifest her fervent wishes for daily Communion among all the faithful irrespective of age or sex.

7. Why, then, does the Church not command us to communicate oftener?

1. Because the love of God and the care for our souls should alone be sufficient motives to induce us to do so ; and 2. Because the Church wishes to prescribe, under

pain of mortal sin, only what she deems absolutely necessary.

Application. Make it a rule to go to Confession and Communion at least once a month,

8. What are we commanded to do by the Fifth Commandment of the Church?

We are commanded to contribute cheerfully, according to our means, to the support of our Pastors and of our churches, schools, and religious institutions, and of Religion generally.

9. Are we bound in conscience and in justice to contribute to the support of our Pastors?

Yes; and by a Divine precept also. St. Paul says: ' So the Lord ordained, that they who preach the Gospel should live by the Gospel' (1 Cor. ix. 13, 14).

Under the Old Law God commanded the people of Israel to give tithes and offerings for the support of the priesthood and the maintenance of worship. In the Church, from the beginning, this was a sacred duty. 'For as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the price of the things they sold, and laid it down before the feet of the Apostles, and distribution was made to every one, according as he had need' (Acts iv. 34, 35).

10. Does this Commandment of the Church apply only to heads of famiUes?

Xo : it applies also to all who earn or enjoy an income of their own.

(On the Sixth Commandment of the Church, 'Not to marry within certain degrees of kindred, or privately without witnesses, nor to solemnize marriage at the forbidden times,' see the Sacrament of Matrimony.)