The Precepts of the Church

The precepts of the Church are specific obligations imposed on the faithful as the minimum required for full participation in the life of the Church — the necessary minimum in the spirit of prayer and moral effort, in growth in love of God and neighbor (CCC 2041).

The Five Precepts

1. Attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation — sanctifying the day of the Lord and the principal feasts.
2. Confess sins at least once a year — ensuring preparation for the Eucharist through the Sacrament of Penance.
3. Receive Holy Communion at least during the Easter season — the minimum participation in the Eucharistic mystery.
4. Observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church — times of ascesis and penance that prepare for the liturgical feasts.
5. Help provide for the material needs of the Church, each according to their own ability (CCC 2042–2043).

A Minimum, Not a Maximum

The precepts represent the floor — the absolute minimum — of Catholic practice. They are not the ideal. The ideal is frequent Mass, regular Confession, prayer, fasting, and generous support of the Church and the poor. The precepts ensure no Catholic can claim ignorance of their basic obligations (CCC 2041).

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Holy Days of Obligation? Holy Days of Obligation are specific feast days on which Catholics are required to attend Mass — in addition to Sundays. In the United States, the current Holy Days of Obligation are: January 1 (Mary, Mother of God), Ascension Thursday (or the following Sunday in some dioceses), August 15 (Assumption), November 1 (All Saints), December 8 (Immaculate Conception), and December 25 (Christmas) (CCC 2043).