Part II, Chapter II — General Precepts of the Church

213. What are the general precepts of the Church?

The general precepts of the Church are laws by which she, applying the commandments of God, prescribes to the faithful certain acts of religion and certain abstinences.

214. How does the Church have authority to make laws and precepts?

The Church has authority to make laws and precepts because she received it, in the persons of the Apostles, from Jesus Christ, the Man-God; and therefore whoever disobeys the Church disobeys God Himself.

215. In the Church, who can make laws and precepts?

In the Church, the Pope and the Bishops, as successors of the Apostles, can make laws and precepts; for to them Jesus Christ said: "He who hears you hears me, and he who despises you despises me" (Luke X. 16).

216. What does the first precept, "to hear Mass on Sundays and on the other commanded feast days," order us?

The first precept, "to hear Mass on Sundays and on the other commanded feast days," orders us to assist devoutly at the Holy Mass on those days.

217. Is it a grave sin not to hear Mass on days of precept?

Whoever, without true impediment, does not hear Mass on days of precept, and whoever does not give his dependents the means to hear it, commits a grave sin and does not fulfill the divine commandment to keep the feast days holy.

218. What does the second precept forbid us by the words "do not eat meat on Friday and on the other forbidden days"?

The second precept, by the words "do not eat meat on Friday and on the other forbidden days," forbids us to eat meat on Fridays (the day of the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ) and on certain days of fasting.

218 a. The five general precepts of the Church: 1. To hear Mass on Sundays and on the other commanded feasts; 2. To sanctify the days of obligation; 3. To confess at least once a year and to receive Holy Communion at least at Easter; 4. To fast and abstain from meat on the appointed days; 5. To contribute to the needs of the Church according to her laws and customs.

219. What does the second precept order us by the words "to fast on the prescribed days"?

The second precept, by the words "to fast on the prescribed days," orders us to observe the ecclesiastical fast in Lent, on certain days of Advent, on the four Ember Days, and on certain vigils.

220. To what does the ecclesiastical fast bind us?

The ecclesiastical fast binds us to abstinence from certain foods, and from other meals beyond the principal one; however, a second light refection is permitted.

221. Who is bound to the ecclesiastical fast?

To the ecclesiastical fast every member of the faithful is bound, from the completed twenty-first year of age to the sixtieth, unless excused by infirmity, by burdensome labors, or by some other just reason.

222. Why does the Church impose abstinences and fasts on us?

The Church imposes abstinences and fasts on us, in conformity with the example and doctrine of Jesus Christ, for penance for our sins, for the mortification of gluttony and of the passions, and for other particular necessities.

223. What does the third precept, "to confess at least once a year and to receive Communion at least at Easter," order us?

The third precept, "to confess at least once a year and to receive Communion at least at Easter," orders us to approach Penance at least once a year and the Eucharist at least at Easter time.

224. Why does the Church, in commanding us to confess and receive Communion once a year, add the word "at least"?

The Church, in commanding us to confess and receive Communion once a year, adds the word "at least" to remind us of the usefulness, indeed the need, of receiving these sacraments often, as is her desire.

225. What does the fourth precept, "to support the necessities of the Church by contributing according to the laws or customs," order us?

The fourth precept, "to support the necessities of the Church by contributing according to the laws or customs," orders us to make the offerings established by authority or by usage, for the fitting exercise of worship and for the honest sustenance of the ministers of God.

226. What does the fifth precept, "not to celebrate weddings solemnly in the forbidden times," forbid?

The fifth precept, "not to celebrate weddings solemnly in the forbidden times," forbids the Mass with the special blessing of the spouses from the first Sunday of Advent until Holy Christmas, and from Ash Wednesday until Easter Sunday.