"If, devout soul, it is your will to please God and live a life of serenity in this world, unite yourself always and in all things to the divine will. Reflect that all the sins of your past wicked life happened because you wandered from the path of God's will. For the future, embrace God's good pleasure and say to him in every happening: "Yea, Father, for so it hath seemed good in thy sight." "

St Alphonsus de Liguori

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"It is vanity to be concerned with the present only and not to make provision for things to come."

Thomas á Kempis

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"O Lord, my God, who will seek you with simple and pure love, and not find that you are all one can desire, for you show yourself first and go out to meet those who seek you? "

St John of the Cross, OCD - Doctor of the Church

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About this "Penny" Catechism - Visit the more detailed "Catechism of the Catholic Church" here.

 
 

FROM THE "PENNY CATECHISM"
     

Precepts of the Church

(*Nos 228 - 248 in the original catechism have been replaced to reflect the latest Catechism.)
228*.

Are we bound to obey the Church?

 

We are bound to obey the Church, because Christ has said to the pastors of the Church: 'He that heareth you, heareth me: and he that despiseth you, despiseth me.' Luke 10:16.
 
229*. What are the precepts of the Church?

 

The precepts of the Church are:
1. You shall attend Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor.
2. You shall confess your sins at least once a year.
3. You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season.
4.You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church.
5. You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church.
 
  230*. Are Catholics bound to attend Mass on Sundays and Holydays of Obligation?
 
 

Catholics are under a serious obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holydays of Obligation unless prevented by other serious duties or by ill-
health.
 
  231*. How often should we go to Confession?
 
 

If we have been guilty of serious sin we should go to Confession as soon as possible but never less than once a year.
 
  232*. What are fasting days?
 
 

Fasting days are days on which we are allowed to take only one full meal. The obligation of fasting is restricted to those who have completed their 18th year until they have begun their 60th.

 
  233*. Which are the fasting days?
 
 

The fasting days are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
 
  234*. What are days of abstinence?
 
 

Days of abstinence are days on which we are forbidden to take flesh-meat and anything made from meat.
 
  235*. Which are the days of abstinence?
 
 

The days of abstinence in the United States are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday and all the Fridays in Lent. The age at which abstinence becomes
binding is 14.
 
  236*. Why does the Church command us to fast and abstain?
 
 

The Church commands us to fast and abstain so that we may mortify the flesh and satisfy God for our sins.