We often hear the term “Precepts of the Church.” If you do a web search you will find there are several answers. I found answers ranging that say there are five, six, or even seven precepts. What is interesting was one article that said seven but only listed six and another which said seven but caveated that the last two were not listed as precepts in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) but were drawn as inferences. To be clear the CCC lists five precepts (CCC 2041).

So let’s define precept. Precepts are commands or principles intended especially as a general rule of action. They are an order issued by legally constituted authority to a subordinate official.

They are intended as guides for out life within the Church. The Precepts of the Catholic Church are a description of the 5 absolute minimum actions required of Catholics. The Church uses these precepts to remind us that Christian life requires a commitment to prayer and active participation in the liturgy and sacraments. If we fall below this bare-minimum level, we can’t rightly consider ourselves to be in full communion with the Catholic Church (CCC 2041).

What are these five bare-minimum things? The following are directly from the CCC.

“The first precept (“You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor”) requires the faithful to sanctify the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord as well as the principal liturgical feasts honoring the mysteries of the Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the saints; in the first place, by participating in the Eucharistic celebration, in which the Christian community is gathered, and by resting from those works and activities which could impede such a sanctification of these days. (CCC 2042)”

“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. (CCC 2042)”

“The third precept (“You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist 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. (CCC 2042)”

The fourth precept (“You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church”) ensures the times of ascesis and penance which prepare us for the liturgical feasts and help us acquire mastery over our instincts and freedom of heart.” (CCC 2043)

“The fifth precept (“You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church”) means that the faithful are obliged to assist with the material needs of the Church, each according to his own ability.” (CCC 2043)

The faithful also have the duty of providing for the material needs of the Church, each according to his own abilities. (CCC 2043)

It is very important to restate here that these actions represent the absolute minimum that you can do and still call yourself Catholic. They by no means represent the full moral, spiritual, sacramental, and liturgical life to which we are called by the Church.