What are precepts?

The dictionary describes “precepts” as rules or principles prescribing a particular course of action or conduct. People have always instinctively asked “what shall we do?” Throughout the centuries the Catholic Church has provided the guidance and clarified the rules, thereby instructing the people in the faith. Such “rules” have been adapted to respond to the pastoral requirements of the current age without compromising the unchangeable elements of the faith. Currently, the Church has summarized this core response in what is known as the “Precepts of the Church”.

 The Precepts are derived from Catholicism's moral and doctrinal foundations, and are reflected in canon law and liturgical discipline. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church states “ The precepts of the Church are set in the context of a moral life bound to and nourished by the liturgical life. The obligatory character of these positive law as decreed by the pastoral authorities is meant to guarantee to the faithful the indispensable minimum in the spirit of prayer and moral effort, in the growth of love of God and neighbor.” [CCC 2041]

The official collection of Church laws [canons] is contained in the “Code of Canon Law”. The present code was approved by Pope John Paul II on January 25, 1983. These laws pertain to all aspects of Catholic activity, and in many cases simply state broad norms to be given more detailed definition by the local bishops according to local circumstances. For the purpose of simplicity it has long been customary to summarize certain important canons in a list called the Precepts of the Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church [1994] delineates these basic precepts.

What are they?

• To assist at Mass on all Sundays and holy days of obligation.
• To confess your sins at least once a year.
  • How often should we go to confession?
  • Why go to confession?
• To receive Holy Communion at least during the Easter season.
• To keep holy the holy days of obligation 
  • What are the Holy Days of Obligation?
• To fast and abstain on the days appointed
  • Fast and Abstinence
  • Penitential Fast is Therapy For the Soul – St. John Paul II
• To contribute to the support of the Church 

 Holy Days of Obligation

• Jan 1st – Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
  • Solemnity of Mary
• Ascension of Our Lord [forty days after Easter, or in some dioceses, the following Sunday] 
  • Ascension - Catholic Encyclopedia
  • Feast of the Ascension – Catholic Encyclopedia 
• August 15, The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
  • Feast of the Assumption – Catholic Encyclopedia
  • Dogma on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin – Pope Pius XII
  • Immaculate Conception and Assumption
• November 1, All Saints
  • All Saint's Day – Catholic Encyclopedia
  • All Saints – Rev Alban Butler
• December 8, The Immaculate Conception
  • Immaculate Conception – Catholic Encyclopedia
  • National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
  • Immaculate Conception and Assumption
• December 25, Christmas Day
  • Nativity of Christ – Rev. Alban Butler

Sacraments at Heart of Jesus Family of Parishes

General Information

• Catechism of the Catholic Church
• The Holy Spirit in the Sacraments – Rev Peter Stravinskas
• A Baker's Dozen of Obstacles to an Appreciation of the Sacraments – Rev Peter Stravinskas
• Current Trends: Can We Be A Sacramental Church? – Sr. Clare Wagner, O.P.

Baptism

• Catechism of the Catholic Church
• The Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation – John H. Hardon, S.J.
  
• Easter and Baptism – Fr. Leonard M. Puech
• Invalid Baptisms – Fr. William Saunders
• The Role of Godparents – Fr. William Saunders
• Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation – Fr. William Saunders

Confirmation

• Catechism of the Catholic Church
• The Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation – John H. Hardon, S.J.
  
• Confirmation – Catholic Encylopedia
• Confirmation – Catholic Information Network

Eucharist

• Catechism of the Catholic Church

Penance and Reconciliation

• Catechism of the Catholic Church
• Let Us Forgive and Ask Forgiveness – Pope John Paul II
• Learning to Confess – Fr. William Saunders
• The Seal of the Confessional – Fr. William Saunders
• General Absolution – Fr. William Saunders
• Making a Good Confession – Fr. William Saunders
• Examination of Conscience – Catholic Encyclopedia

Anointing of the Sick

• Catechism of the Catholic Church
• Anointing the Sick: Medicine for Sinners – Fr. William Saunders
• Anointing the Sick – Fr. William Saunders

Holy Orders

• Catechism of the Catholic Church
• Ordination confers Indelible Stamp – Fr. William Saunders
  
• The Eucharist and the Priesthood [Multiple Resources]

Matrimony

• Catechism of the Catholic Church
• Marriage: The Mystery of Faithful Love – Alice Von Hildebrand
• Marriage Covenant – Fr. William Saunders
• The Magnificence of Marriage – Mitchell Kalpakgian
• The Unitive and Procreative Dimension of Conjugal Love – Fr. William Saunders
• Marriage Without Children – Fr. William Saunders
• Marriage Outside The Church – Fr. William Saunders
• Reversing the Deculturation of Fatherhood – Donald Demarco
• Mary and the Gift of Life: Motherhood Requires the Openness to the New Person – Mary Shivanandan

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy
Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven

- Matthew 5:3-12

Supplemental Information

• Catechism of the Catholic Church
• Dialogued Prayer on the Beatitudes
• Reflection: Growing through the Beatitudes: Seeking True Humility
• The Eight Beatitudes – Catholic Encyclopedia

ONE - HOLY - CATHOLIC - APOSTOLIC

• One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic – Catholic Information Network
• The Marks of the Church - US Conference of Catholic Bishops
• Lumen Gentium – Vatican Council II
• Four Marks of the Church – Fr. William Saunders

A creed is a summary of the principal truths of faith. It is a formal profession of faith. The creed is not simply words; and as the Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “We do not believe in formulas, but in those realities they express, which faith allows us to touch.”

“Through the centuries, in so many languages, cultures, peoples, and nations, the Church has constantly confessed this one faith, received from the one Lord, transmitted by one Baptism, and grounded in the conviction that all people have only one God and Father.” [CCC 172]

Two of the most important creeds in the Catholic Church are the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed. 

The Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried;
He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from there He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.
Amen.

 The Nicene Creed

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; Through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.

Amen. 

Supplemental Information 

• Wording of the Nicene Creed – Fr William Saunders
• The Holy Spirit in the Trinity and His Mission in the World – Rev William G. Most
• The Catholic Creed - Catholic Information Network
• Why Do We Have Two Creeds? ---Fr. William Saunders
• The Nicene Creed on the Church – James E. Kiefer
• We know that God exists – Catholic Information Network
• The Nicene Creed – Catholic Encyclopedia
• The Apostles Creed – Catholic Encyclopedia
• What the Early Church Believed: The Trinity – Catholic Answers
• Can We Prove That God Exists? - Charles E. Rice 

1. I am the Lord thy God. Thou shall not have strange gods before Me.
2. Thou shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
3. Remember to keep holy the Lord's day.
4. Honor thy father and mother.
5. Thou shall not kill.
6. Thou shall not commit adultery.
7. Thou shall not steal.
8. Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
9. Thou shall not covet thy neighbor's wife.
10. Thou shall not covet thy neighbor's goods.

General References

• Catechism of the Catholic Church
• Decalogue – Part 1 - Fr. Hal Stockert
• Decalogue – Part 2 - Fr. Hal Stockert

Specifics

 1.) I am the Lord thy God. Thou shall not have strange gods before Me.

• Catechism of the Catholic Church
• First Commandment – Fr. Hal Stockert

  2.) Thou shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.

• Catechism of the Catholic Church
• Second Commandment – Fr. Hal Stockert

  3.)  Remember to keep holy the Lord's day.

• Catechism of the Catholic Church
• Third Commandment – Fr. Hal Stockert

 4.)  Honor thy father and mother.

• Catechism of the Catholic Church
• Fourth Commandment – Fr. Hal Stockert

 5.)  Thou shall not kill.

• Catechism of the Catholic Church
• Fifth Commandment – Fr. Hal Stockert

 6.) Thou shall not commit adultery.

• Catechism of the Catholic Church
• Sixth Commandment – Fr. Hal Stockert

 7.)  Thou shall not steal.

• Catechism of the Catholic Church
• Seventh Commandment – Fr. Hal Stockert

 8.)  Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

• Catechism of the Catholic Church
• Eight Commandment – Fr. Hal Stockert

 9.)  Thou shall not covet thy neighbor's wife.

• Catechism of the Catholic Church
• Ninth Commandment – Fr. Hal Stockert

10.)  Thou shall not covet thy neighbor's goods.

• Catechism of the Catholic Church
• Tenth Commandment – Fr. Hal Stockert

The goal of a virtuous life is to become like God.
- St Gregory of Nyssa

A virtue is a habitual and firm disposition to do good. It allows the person not only to perform good acts, but also to give the best of oneself. The virtuous person tends toward the good with all sensory and spiritual powers; one who pursues the good and chooses it in concrete actions. The virtuous person is one that freely practices the good.

The Christian tradition distinguishes between theological virtues and moral virtues. Theological virtues are those powers given by God with grace, thus allowing the individual to act on a spiritual level. The moral virtues are those acquired through human effort by repeated actions.

General

• Catechism of the Catholic Church
• Teaching the Virtues - William J. Bennet
• Virtuous Life is Worth Living - Dr. Tim Gray
• Virtue and Hypocrisy - Donald Demarco
• Vision and Virtue - William Kilpatrick
• Innocence and Humility - Donald Demarco
• Heroic Virtue - Catholic Encyclopedia

Cardinal Virtues

Prudence • Justice • Fortitude • Temperance

• Cardinal Virtues – Catholic Encyclopedia
• Justice, Fortitude, Temperance – By Fr. William Sauders
• Justice, Wisdom, Courage, and Moderation – By Peter Kreeft
• Living a virtuous life – Fr. William Sauders
• Prudence: Mother of all Virtues – Fr William Saunders

Theological Virtues

Faith • Hope • Charity

• Examen of Conscience on the Theological Virtues – Fr John Hardon, S.J.
• St Augustine – A Treatise on Faith, Hope and Love
• How are we saved? - Christopher V. Mirus
• Theological Virtue of Love – Pope John Paul II
• Love [Theological Virtue] – Catholic Encyclopedia
• Heart of Virtue by Don Demarco
• Prologue
• Virtue of Care
• Virtue of Compassion
• Virtue of Courtesy
• Virtue of Decency
• Virtue of Docility
• Virtue of Fairness
• Virtue of Generosity
• Virtue of Hope
• Virtue of Innocence
• Virtue of Integrity
• Virtue of Justice
• Virtue of Leadership
• Virtue of Meekness
• Virtue of Modesty
• Virtue of Reverence
• Virtue of Social Justice
• Virtue of Unselfishness
• Virtue of Uprightness

Wisdom
Understanding
Knowledge
Fortitude
Counsel
Piety
Fear of the Lord

Supplemental Information

• Catechism of the Catholic Church
• Gifts of the Holy Spirit –Fr. William Saunders
• The Holy Spirit in the Trinity and His Mission in the World – Rev. William G. Most
• The Holy Spirit As Power – Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J.
• Gifts of the Holy Spirit in General – Rev, William G. Most
• Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit – Rev. William G. Most
• Charismatic Gifts – Rev. William G. Most
• The Gifts of the Holy Spirit – Angelo Amato

Supplemental Information

• Catechism of the Catholic Church

Corporal Works of Mercy

To feed the hungry
To give drink to the thirsty
To clothe the naked
To visit and ransom the captives
To shelter the homeless
To visit the sick
To bury the dead

Spiritual Works of Mercy

To admonish the sinners
To instruct the ignorant
To counsel the doubtful
To comfort the sorrowful
To bear wrongs patiently
To forgive all injuries
To pray for the living and the dead

Supplemental Information

• Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy - Catholic Encyclopedia
• The Ministry of the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy