Chapter IV — On the precepts of the Church

§ 1. On the precepts of the Church in general

1. Besides the Commandments of God, what else must we observe?

Besides the Commandments of God we must observe the precepts of the Church.

2. Are we obliged to obey the Church?

Without doubt we are obliged to obey the Church, because Jesus Christ Himself commands it, and because the precepts of the Church help us to observe the Commandments of God.

3. When does the obligation of observing the precepts of the Church begin?

The obligation of observing the precepts of the Church generally begins with the use of reason.

4. Is it a sin to violate a precept of the Church?

Knowingly to violate a precept of the Church in grave matter is a mortal sin.

5. Who can dispense from a precept of the Church?

Only the Pope, and he who has received the faculties from him, can dispense from a precept of the Church.

6. How many and which are the precepts of the Church?

The Precepts of the Church are five:

1. To hear Mass on all Sundays and other commanded feast days.

2. To fast during Lent, on the Ember Days, and on the commanded vigils; not to eat meat on the forbidden days.

3. To confess at least once a year, and to receive Communion at Easter, each one in his own parish.

4. To pay the tithes due to the Church, according to custom.

5. Not to celebrate weddings during the forbidden times, that is, from the first Sunday of Advent until the Epiphany, and from the first day of Lent until the octave of Easter.

§ 2. On the first precept of the Church

7. What does the first precept or commandment of the Church — To hear Mass on all Sundays and other commanded feast days — order us?

The first precept of the Church, "To hear Mass on all Sundays and other commanded feast days," orders us to assist with devotion at Holy Mass on all Sundays and on the other holy days of obligation.

8. Which is the Mass at which the Church desires us to assist on Sundays and on the other holy days of obligation?

The Mass at which the Church desires that, if possible, one assist on Sundays and on the other holy days of obligation is the parish Mass.

9. Why does the Church recommend that the faithful assist at the parish Mass?

The Church recommends that the faithful assist at the parish Mass: 1. that those who belong to the same parish may unite to pray together with the parish priest, who is their head; 2. that the parishioners may share more fully in the holy sacrifice, which is principally applied for them; 3. that they may hear the truths of the Gospel which the parish priests are bound to set forth at Holy Mass; 4. that they may come to know the prescriptions and notices that are published at the said Mass.

10. What does Sunday mean?

Sunday means the day of the Lord, that is, the day specially consecrated to divine service.

11. Why is special mention made of Sunday in the first commandment of the Church?

In the first commandment of the Church special mention is made of Sunday because it is the principal feast among Christians, as the sabbath was the principal feast among the Hebrews, instituted by God Himself.

12. What other feasts has the Church instituted?

The Church has also instituted the feasts of our Lord, of the Most Holy Virgin, of the Angels, and of the Saints.

13. Why has the Church instituted other feasts of our Lord?

The Church has instituted other feasts of our Lord in memory of His divine mysteries.

14. Why have the feasts of the Most Holy Virgin, of the Angels, and of the Saints been instituted?

The feasts of the Most Holy Virgin, of the Angels, and of the Saints have been instituted: 1. in memory of the graces God has given them, and to thank the divine goodness for them; 2. that we may honor them, imitate their examples, and be helped by their prayers.

§ 3. On the second precept of the Church

15. What does the second precept of the Church order us with the words: To fast on the commanded days?

The second precept of the Church, with the words "To fast on the commanded days," orders us to observe the fast: 1. in Lent; 2. on some days of Advent, where this is prescribed; 3. on the Ember Days; 4. on some vigils.

16. In what does the fast consist?

The fast consists in taking only one meal a day and in abstaining from forbidden foods.

17. On fast days, may a small collation be taken in the evening?

By the indulgence of the Church, on fast days a small collation may be taken in the evening.

18. What is the use of fasting?

Fasting serves to better dispose us to prayer, to do penance for sins committed, and to preserve us from committing new ones.

19. Who is obliged to fast?

To the fast all Christians are obliged who have completed their twenty-first year and who are not either dispensed or excused by lawful impediment.

20. Are those who do not have the obligation of fasting entirely exempt from mortification?

Those who do not have the obligation of fasting are not entirely exempt from mortification, because we are all obliged to do penance.

21. For what end was Lent instituted?

Lent was instituted to imitate in some way the rigorous fast of forty days that Jesus Christ made in the desert, and to prepare us, by means of penance, to celebrate Easter in holiness.

22. For what end was the fast of Advent instituted?

The fast of Advent was instituted to dispose us to celebrate in holiness the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ.

23. For what end was the fast of the Ember Days instituted?

The fast of the Ember Days was instituted to consecrate every season of the year by penance on some days; to ask God for the preservation of the fruits of the earth; to thank Him for the fruits already given; and to pray Him to give His Church good ministers, whose ordination is performed on the Saturdays of the Ember Days.

24. For what end was the fast of the vigils instituted?

The fast of the vigils was instituted to prepare us to celebrate in holiness the principal feasts.

25. What is forbidden us on Fridays and on Saturdays not dispensed?

On Fridays and on Saturdays not dispensed, we are forbidden to eat meat, except in case of necessity.

26. Why has the Church willed that we abstain from eating meat on these days?

That we may do penance every week, and especially on Friday in honor of the Passion, and on Saturday in memory of the burial of Jesus Christ, and in honor of the Most Holy Mary.

§ 4. On the third precept of the Church

27. What does the Church command us with the words of the third precept: To confess at least once a year?

With the words of the third precept, "To confess at least once a year," the Church obliges all Christians who have reached the use of reason to approach at least once a year the sacrament of Penance.

28. What is the most opportune time to satisfy the precept of annual Confession?

The most opportune time to satisfy the precept of annual confession is Lent, according to the usage introduced and approved by the whole Church.

29. Why does the Church say that we should confess at least once a year?

The Church says "at least" to make known her desire that we should approach the holy sacraments more often.

30. Is it then a useful thing to confess often?

It is most useful to confess often, especially because it is difficult for one who confesses rarely to confess well and to keep himself far from mortal sin.

31. What does the Church prescribe with the other words of the third precept: To receive Communion at least at Easter, each one in his own parish?

With the other words of the third precept, "To receive Communion at least at Easter, each one in his own parish," the Church obliges all Christians who have reached the age of discretion to receive every year the Most Holy Eucharist in their own parish during the paschal time.

32. Are we obliged at any other time, besides Easter, to receive Communion?

We are obliged to receive Communion also in danger of death.

33. Why is it said that we receive Communion at least at Easter?

Because the Church earnestly desires that not only at Easter, but as often as possible, we should approach Holy Communion, which is the divine nourishment of our souls.

34. Is this precept satisfied by a sacrilegious confession or communion?

One who would make a sacrilegious confession and communion does not satisfy the third precept of the Church, because the intention of the Church is that these sacraments be received for the end for which they were instituted, namely, for our sanctification.

§ 5. On the fourth precept of the Church

35. How is the fourth precept of the Church — To pay the tithes due to the Church — observed?

The fourth precept, "To pay the tithes due to the Church," is observed by paying those offerings or contributions which have been established to acknowledge the supreme dominion which God has over all things, and to provide for the decent sustenance of His ministers.

36. How must the tithes be paid?

The tithes must be paid of those things and in that manner which the custom of places requires.

§ 6. On the fifth precept of the Church

37. What does the Church forbid us in the fifth precept: Not to celebrate weddings during the forbidden times?

In the fifth precept the Church does not forbid the celebration of the sacrament of Matrimony; but only the solemnity of weddings from the first Sunday of Advent until the Epiphany, and from the first day of Lent until the octave of Easter.

38. What is the solemnity of weddings that is forbidden?

The solemnity forbidden by this precept consists in the Mass proper of the bride and groom, in the nuptial blessing, and in extraordinary wedding pomp.

39. Why are displays of pomp not fitting in Advent and Lent?

Displays of pomp are not fitting in Advent and Lent, because these are times specially consecrated to penance and prayer.