How many precepts are there?

[lissa70]

Some articles list six precepts while others only list five. The CCC only discusses five of them, excluding the one on marriage. Was there a change to the precepts at some time? What of the precept of marriage - does it still apply?

 

[thistle]

Some articles list six precepts while others only list five. The CCC only discusses five of them, excluding the one on marriage. Was there a change to the precepts at some time? What of the precept of marriage - does it still apply?

Father John Hardon’s Modern Catholic Dictionary:

PRECEPTS OF THE CHURCH. Certain commandments of a moral and ecclesiastical nature prescribed for observance by all Catholics. Their formulation goes back to the
Middle Ages, and their number has varied from four to six or more, depending on the times. A recent list of such duties “expected of Catholic Christians today” was formulated by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops in the United States, as follows:

1. To keep holy the day of the Lord’s Resurrection: to worship God by participating in Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation: to avoid those activities that would hinder renewal of soul and body, e.g., needless work and business activities, unnecessary shopping, etc.
2. To lead a sacramental life: to receive Holy Communion frequently and the Sacrament of Penance regularly.

• minimally, to receive the Sacrament of Penance at least once a year (annual confession is obligatory only if serious sin is involved).
• minimally, to receive Holy Communion at least once a year, between the First Sunday of Lent and Trinity Sunday.

1. To study Catholic teaching in preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation, to be confirmed, then to continue to study and advance the cause of Christ.
2. To observe the marriage laws of the Church: to give religious training (by example and word) to one’s children; to use parish schools and religious education programs.
3. To strengthen and support the Church: one’s own parish community and parish priests; the worldwide Church and the Holy Father.

6.To do penance, including abstaining from meat and fasting from food on the appointed days.

7.To join in the missionary spirit and apostolate of the Church.

 

[Anathama_Sit]

Greetings Lissa70,

Actually the CCC discusses the precept of the Church that relates to Marriage under the sections that deal with marriage. My reference lists the precepts in a different order than given by Thistle, but the precepts are the same.

Catholics are bound to obey the Church’s Law on Marriage as set forth by the CIC - the Code of Canon Law as well as Commandments dealing with Marriage.
Thistle’s post was very quite informative.

God Bless.
Anathama Sit*