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Laws Of The Church
From time to time the Church has listed certain specific duties of Catholics. Some duties expected of Catholic Christians today include the following (those traditionally named as Precepts of the Church are marked with *).
- To keep holy the day of the Lord's Resurrection: To worship God be 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.
- 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, during the Easter season, the first Sunday of Lent through Trinity Sunday.
- To study Catholic teaching in preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation, to be confirmed, and to continue to study and advance the message of Jesus.
- 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.
- To strengthen and support the Church: One's own parish community and parish priests; the worldwide Church and the Holy Father.
- To do penance, including abstaining from meat and fasting from food on the appointed days.
- To join in the missionary spirit and apostolate of the Church.
