The Precepts of the Church

1. Attend Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation We must celebrate the resurrection of the Lord. This allows us to have a healthy relationship with God and with the Christian community.

2. Confess serious sins at least once a year It reminds us that we are sinful. The sacrament of reconciliation is the framework we use to offer our sincere apologies to God. Through reconciliation, we receive God’s forgiveness.

3. Receive Holy Communion at least once a year during the Easter Season. This is a minimum. We must receive Communion as much as possible. Through receiving the Eucharist, we are called to be “the body of Christ” in the world. It calls us to be disciples of Christ in all life situations.

4. Keep the holy days of obligation holy Christmas and the Feast of Mary the Mother of God are the holy days of obligation in Canada.

5. Observe the prescribed days of fasting and abstinence Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday are days of fasting and abstinence. Lenten Fridays = abstaining from meat Self-denial helps us prepare for major feast days. We learn to master our instincts and find true freedom.

6. Contribute to the Church as far as we are able We must proclaim God’s truth. We must do what we can to help those in need.

What does the 4th commandment challenge students to avoid doing? It challenges students to avoid doing anything that will make it harder for teachers to teach, for workers to keep public property in good condition, or for police officers to maintain order.

What is legitimate authority? All authority is legitimate when it is recognized by the population as a whole and when it serves the common good. An authority that does not respect its weaker members or that does not work to promote good relations among all its subjects is not a legitimate authority. All legitimate authority comes from God.

What is the common good? The common good is everything that allows individuals and groups to reach their full potential. It is built upon respect for individuals. The basic human rights of every individual must be acknowledged and respected; the basic human needs of every individual and family must be met as well. It is built upon a peaceful social order.