The Convert's Catechism of Catholic Doctrine

The Six Precepts of the Church

Which are the chief laws which the Church has made?: The chief laws which the Church has made are the Six Precepts of the Church.
Is a transgression of the Precepts of the Church a grievous or a light matter?: A transgression of the Precepts of the Church is always a grievous matter.
Why is a transgression of the Precepts of the Church always a grievous matter?: A transgression of the Precepts of the Church is always a grievous matter because the Precepts indicate the lowest standard consistent with Catholic Practice.
What is the First Precept?: The First Precept is: To hear Mass on Sundays and Holydays of Obligation.
Why did the Church institute Holydays?: The Church instituted Holydays to recall to our minds the great events in the life of our Lord and the Saints.
Which are the Holydays of Obligation in the United States?: The Holydays of Obligation in the United States are:

1) The Circumcision of our Lord, January 1st.

2) The Ascension of our Lord, the fortieth day after Easter Sunday.

3) The Assumption of our Lady, August 15th.

4) All Saints, November 1st.

5) The Immaculate Conception of Our Blessed Lady, December 8th.

6) The Birth of our Lord, December 25th.
How should we keep Holydays of Obligation?: We should keep Holydays of Obligation as we should keep Sundays.
Why is missing Mass on Sundays and Holydays of Obligation a grievous matter?: Missing Mass on Sundays and Holydays of Obligation is a grievous matter because at least on these days we must unite ourselves to Jesus Christ, our Mediator and High-priest, to offer an acceptable Sacrifice of Adoration, Thanksgiving, Separation and Petition to the Eternal Father.
What is the Second Precept?: The Second Precept is to Fast and Abstain on days appointed.
What are Fast-days?: Fast-days are days on which we are allowed but one full meal.
What are Days of Abstinence?: Days of Abstinence are days on which the use of Flesh-meat is forbidden.
Why are we commanded to fast and abstain?: We are commanded to fast and abstain:

1) To practice self-denial and thereby bring the flesh under the dominion of the Spirit;

2) To do penance for our sins.
Why are we commanded to abstain from Flesh-meat on Fridays?: We are commanded to abstain from Flesh-meat on Fridays,

1) As an act of gratitude to our Saviour who died for us on Friday;

2) To do penance for our sins and thereby share in His merits.
Who makes known to us the days and manner of fasting and abstinence?: The Bishop through our Pastors makes known to us the days and manner of fasting and abstinence.
Which are the Fast-days and Days of Abstinence in the United States?: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence.

Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.
Who are dispensed from the Fast prescribed by the Church?: The sick, the infirm, people less than 18 or more than 59 years of age, and those who labor hard are dispensed from the Fast prescribed by the Church. Abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards.
What should those do who have doubts about the law of fasting and abstinence?: Those who have doubts about the laws of fasting and abstinence should consult their Pastor or Confessor.
What is the Third Precept?: The Third Precept is: To confess our sins at least once a year.
Why does the Church command us to confess at least once a year?: The Church commands us to confess at least once a year:

1) To warn us against presuming on the mercy of God, which is a sin against the Holy Ghost;

2) To induce us to live Christian lives.
At what age must parents prepare their children to go to confession?: Parents must prepare their children for confession when the children learn to distinguish right from wrong, that is, when they are about seven years old.
What is the Fourth Precept?: The Fourth Precept is: To receive Holy Communion during Easter-time.
What is the Easter-time in the United States?: The Easter-time in the United States begins with the first Sunday of Lent and ends with Trinity Sunday.
Why does the Church command us to receive Holy Communion during Easter-time?: The Church commands us to receive Holy Communion at Easter-time,

1) Because Christ gave us a pledge of eternal life by His Resurrection on Easter-Sunday;

2) To warn us that we forfeit our claim to this pledge if we neglect to receive Him during this time.
What is the Fifth Precept?: The Fifth Precept is: To contribute to the support of our Church, School and Pastor.
What does the Fifth Precept command?: The Fifth Precept commands us to contribute according to our means to the support of Religion.
Why should we contribute to the support of Religion?: We should contribute to the support of Religion, because,

1) Every society must supply its own want;

2) Because Religion is impossible without Church, School and Pastor;

3) Because the school is the Nursery of the Parish;

4) Because the laborer is worthy of his hire;

5) Because the Sacrifice of Material Offerings disposes us for Spiritual Blessings.
Q. What is the Sixth Precept?: The Sixth Precept is: Not to marry non-Catholics; nor to marry those who are related to us within the fourth degree of kinship; nor to solemnize marriage at forbidden times; and not to marry except in the presence of a duly appointed pastor and two witnesses.
What does the Sixth Precept command?: The Sixth Precept commands Catholics

1) To marry Catholics;

2) Who are not related to them within the fourth degree of kinship;

3) Before their pastor and two witnesses;

4) During the open season of the year;

5) After the triple publication of the banns;

6) With the solemn Blessing of the Church.
What is a Marriage Impediment?: A marriage impediment is a prohibition of God or His Church forbidding certain marriages.
Why should Catholics marry Catholics?: Catholics should marry Catholics to safeguard their own spiritual welfare and that of their children.
Why should persons not marry near relatives?: Persons should not marry near relatives because such marriages are unnatural and have a hurtful effect on the physical welfare of the children.
Why must Catholics marry in the presence of their Pastor and two witnesses?: Catholics must marry in the presence of their Pastor and two witnesses to safeguard the general welfare of Religion.
What is the open season for marriages?: The open season for marriages extends from the seventh of January to Ash-Wednesday, and from the first Sunday after Easter to the first Sunday in Advent.
Why does the Church require a triple publication of the Banns?: The Church requires a triple publication of the Banns to discover whether any impediments exist to the marriage.
What is the Marriage Blessing?: The Marriage Blessing is a most special Blessing which the Church imparts only to Catholics who are married at a Nuptial Mass.
When does a Catholic contract an invalid marriage?: A Catholic contracts an invalid marriage by marrying without the necessary dispensation:

1) A person not baptized;

2) A person related within the fourth degree of kinship;

3) By marrying otherwise than before the parish-priest and two witnesses;

4) By marrying when any other invalidating impediment exists.
What is a Marriage Dispensation?: A Marriage Dispensation is an exemption to marry contrary to the laws of the Church.
From whom must a Marriage Dispensation he obtained?: A Marriage Dispensation must be obtained from the Bishop of the diocese in which the parties live.
Is a grave reason necessary to ash for a Marriage Dispensation?: A grave reason is necessary to ask for a Marriage Dispensation.
What is Divorce?: Divorce is the dissolving of the marriage bond.
Can man grant a Divorce valid in the sight of God?: No man can grant a Divorce valid in the sight of God, for Christ said: "What God hath joined together, let no man put asunder." - Matthew 19:6
What is a Separation?: A Separation is a suspension of the actual marriage relation.
What cause suffices for a temporary Separation?: Mutual consent for the sake of health, business, and the like, suffices for a temporary Separation.
What cause justifies a permanent Separation?: Infidelity, and grave danger of corporal or spiritual harm justifies a permanent Separation.
Should Catholics consult their Pastor before taking this extreme step?: Catholics should consult their Pastor before taking this extreme step.
When may a Catholic have a permanent Separation ratified by a Civil Divorce?: A Catholic may have a permanent Separation ratified by Civil Divorce when legal rights must be safeguarded.
Is a Catholic in the United States bound to consult Ecclesiastical Authority before applying for a Civil Divorce?: A Catholic in the United States is bound to consult Ecclesiastical Authority before applying for a Civil Divorce.
Dare Catholics ever regard a divorced person as eligible to marriage?: Catholics dare not regard divorced persons as eligible to marriage unless their former marriage has been declared null and void by the Ecclesiastical Court.

The Six Precepts of the Church

The First Precept

The Second Precept

The Third Precept

The Fourth Precept

The Fifth Precept

The Sixth Precept