Does your parish bring up the 3rd Precept of the church, the Easter duty?

[stbruno]

I wonder how many people know the third precept? I know at our parish, the older Catholics who were taught the Baltimore Catechism may, but I wonder about the younger ones?

 

[e-catholic]

I had to look it up, however I am familiar with all of the precepts, I didn’t know that was what they were called. I knew that these are all obligations, and I think that most people do.

Is there anyone who didn’t know the priciple of the 3rd precept?

 

[thomasf]

Never heard of the 1st, 2nd or 3rd precepts of the church.

 

[stbruno]

Actually there are six precepts of the Catholic Church

christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/holy.html
**II. THE PRECEPTS OF THE CHURCH **

2041 The precepts of the Church are set in the context of a moral life bound to and nourished by liturgical life. The obligatory character of these positive laws 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 in love of God and neighbor:
2042 The first precept (“You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation.”) requires the faithful to participate in the Eucharistic celebration when the Christian community gathers together on the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord.[82]
The second precept (“You shall confess your sins at least once a year.”) ensures preparation for the Eucharist by the reception of the sacrament of reconciliation, which continues Baptism’s work of conversion and forgiveness.[83]
The third precept (“You shall humbly receive your Creator in Holy Communion at least during the Easter season.”) guarantees as a minimum the reception of the Lord’s Body and Blood in connection with the Paschal feasts, the origin and center of the Christian liturgy.[84] 2043 The fourth precept (“You shall keep holy the holy days of obligation.”) completes the Sunday observance by participation in the principal liturgical feasts which honor the mysteries of the Lord, the Virgin Mary, and the saints.[85]
The fifth precept (“You shall observe the prescribed days of fasting and abstinence.”) ensures the times of ascesis and penance which prepare us for the liturgical feasts; they help us acquire mastery over our instincts and freedom of heart.[86]
Sixth precept:The faithful also have the duty of providing for the material needs of the Church, each according to his abilities.[87]

 

[Chatter163]

The traditional list has six; Pope Paul VI added a seventh, to engage in the missionary outreach of the Church.

 

[1ke]

I wonder how many people know the third precept? I know at our parish, the older Catholics who were taught the Baltimore Catechism may, but I wonder about the younger ones?

Yes, our priest regularly brings up ALL the precepts of the Church and prints them in the bulletin numerous times throughout the year.

 

[japhy]

I’ve heard that the sixth precept is (or used to be) adherence to the Church’s teachings on the Sacrament of Matrimony:

1. 
   *]To go to Mass and refrain from servile work on Sundays and holy days
   *]To go to Confession at least once a year (traditionally done during Lent)
   *]To receive the Eucharist at least once a year, during the Easter Season (known as the “Easter duty”)
   *]To observe the days of fasting and abstinence
   *]To help to provide for the needs of the Church according to one’s abilities and station in life
   *]To obey the marriage laws of the Church
   
   The seventh is reported to be “To participate in the Church’s mission of Evangelization of Souls.” (source)

 

[Digitonomy]

So what is the history of these enumerated precepts? From the CCC list stbruno posted and the Fisheaters.com list japhy posted from an unknown origin, there seems to be some variation. Precept 4 from the CCC list seems repetitive of Precept 1. This pushes japhy’s Precepts 4 & 5 to 5 & 6 on the CCC list.

As for the matrimony one from japhy’s Precept 6, I don’t think it is important enough to merit a spot on the list. Unlike the other precepts, matrimonial laws do not directly apply to a large portion of the faithful. A 10-year old child and a nun are both obligated to follow marriage laws, but they are likewise, and more relevantly, required to follow the whole Ten Commandments. I think the CCC should delete its repetitious Precept 4, ignore japhy**'s Precept 6, and move Paul VI’s Precept 7 up to 6. But that’s just me.**

 

[japhy]

So what is the history of these enumerated precepts?

The Baltimore Catechism includes the matrimonial precept. That link has the B.C. on all six precepts (of the time).

Update: here’s an interesting article on the history of this list.

 

[lak611]

I wonder how many people know the third precept? I know at our parish, the older Catholics who were taught the Baltimore Catechism may, but I wonder about the younger ones?

I don’t think it is necessary to bring up the 3rd Precept. More emphasis needs to be given to the 1st Precept. The churches are packed on Easter, but then we don’t see many of those people until Christmas. They need to know that Mass attendance is mandatory on every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation, not just Christmas and Easter.

 

[AngelRose81]

yep we hear about all of the precepts actually.