A Brief History of the Precepts of the Catholic Church | The Fatima Center (2024)

In a previous article, we discussed the Six Precepts of the Church. However, since precept simply means “a command or principle intended especially as a general rule of action” (Webster’s Dictionary, 1828 edition), it is obvious that the Church has more precepts than just six.

Precepts Are Essential to the Church

The Church has had precepts since its foundation by Our Lord. Perhaps the best known “precept” was issued by Our Lord when He told the Apostles: “This do ye … in commemoration of Me” (1 Corinthians 11:25). Then again, when the Apostles gathered together at the Council of Jerusalem (circa 50 AD), they issued various precepts binding the whole Church (see Acts 15:28-29). Anyone reading the New Testament or the writings of the early Church Fathers will see the precepts issued by the bishops were a daily part of life in the early Church.

Nevertheless, some may falsely think that the Six Precepts are relatively new for the Church – or at least that the precept for annual Confession is new. In fact, they are not. This ahistorical error was fueled over the past few centuries by Protestants who accuse the Church of being “legalistic” and of creating “undue burdens” that are “anti-gospel.” (Who of us has not heard these accusations?) Sadly, such critics completely misunderstand the Church, who truly is a solicitous and merciful mother. The precepts exist for the salvation of souls and even further our good here on this earth.

The Precepts Have a Long History

Catholics today who are accustomed to regularly receiving Holy Communion are often flabbergasted to hear the Church only mandates one annual Holy Communion. However, when one becomes aware of the ancient history of these precepts, they become more understandable.

Today’s practice of frequent Communion is relatively new. It was popularized following legislation by Pope St. Pius X at the start of the 20^th Century. In ages past, it was understood that special permission was needed by one’s confessor to communicate frequently. Advantages to this practice of less frequent Communion includes maintaining a greater reverence for the Holy Eucharist, taking more time to make adequate preparation and thanksgiving for receiving the Sacrament, and not looking at Holy Communion as merely routine. It also greatly reduces the number of sacrilegious Communions and bolsters faith in the Real Presence. Advantages to our current custom are detailed by the Holy Father in Quam Singulari (1910).

How Old Are the Precepts of the Church?

The following is a brief history of the precepts of the Church, according to the Catholic Encyclopedia found on the New Advent website.[1]

The precepts came to be regarded as special Commandments of the Church. In a 13^th Century book attributed to Pope Celestine V, a separate treatise was dedicated to the precepts of the Church. The treatise was divided into four chapters, treating of: [1] fasting, [2] confession and Easter Communion, [3] prohibitions on marriage, [4] and financial support of the Church and clergy.

In 1439, St. Antoninus of Florence enumerated the following ten precepts that were universally binding on the faithful:

1. to observe certain feasts,
2. to keep the prescribed fasts,
3. to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation,
4. to confess at least once a year,
5. to receive Holy Communion at least during Paschal time,
6. to pay tithes to support the Church and clergy,
7. to abstain from any act upon which a prohibition had been placed entailing ex-communication,
8. to refrain also from any act prohibited under pain of ex-communication latæ sententiæ,[2]
9. to avoid association with the excommunicated, and
10. not to attend Mass or other religious functions celebrated by a priest living in open concubinage.

A 1470 catechism then explicitly set forth five Commandments of the Catholic Church. In 1586, a Spanish canonist listed five principal precepts of obligation, which included: to fast at certain prescribed times, paying tithes to support the Church and clergy, going to confession once a year, and receiving Holy Communion at Easter.

It was during the 16^th Century, due to the prevalence of heresy, that there appeared many popular works which defended the authority of the Church and identified her precepts, e.g., the Summa Doctrinæ Christianæ (1555) of St. Peter Canisius and the Doctrina Christiana (1589) of St. Robert Bellarmine.

Thus, it is clear that the precepts of the Church, as a particular and distinct body of laws, were recognized long before the 16^th Century. The contention that they were first formulated by Jesuits to counterattack the Protestant Revolt is historically inaccurate.

Other Precepts of the Church

Those who think Holy Mother Church burdens her children with “legalism” fail to understand that God’s law is one of the clearest and strongest manifestations of HIs perfect and merciful love for us. They also frequently lack Catholic faith, not believing that Holy Mother Church speaks with the authority of Jesus Christ. Thus, they do not realize that the Church’s laws are in fact a manifestation of God’s love. Understanding these truths leads a Catholic to observe the Commandments of God and Precepts of the Church not just out of a sense of duty and justice, but also out of charity (supernatural love of, and for, God).

As regards justice, Catholics are bound to observe the laws of the Church just as they are obligated to keep the Ten Commandments. Many of the Church’s laws have been long established and observed by the faithful for centuries. Altogether, the Deposit of Faith, which a Catholic must believe in order to be truly a Catholic, requires Catholics to observe the Precepts (rules) of the Church.

The Precepts of the Church are not all-inclusive in terms of the rules for living a Catholic life. There are other laws that Catholics are bound to observe that are not listed in the Precepts of the Church. The list provided by St. Antoninus for his flock (see above) is just as valid now as it was in the 15^th Century. By way of example, additional precepts of particular relevance today include:

1. Catholics are obligated to pray to God every day. (It is sinful not to, and extended periods of neglecting prayer becomes mortally sinful.)
2. Catholics are obligated to study the Faith to a degree comparable to their general education.
3. Catholics are obligated to form their conscience well, in accordance with what has been believed everywhere, always, and by all Catholics.
4. Catholics are forbidden to worship in non-Catholic services.
5. Catholics are forbidden from membership in Masonic or other secret sects and anti-Catholic associations.
6. Catholics are not to send their children to schools where there is a real danger of losing the Faith.
7. Catholics are not to read or possess any bad books, magazines, or publications.
8. And more!

Recent Changes to the Number of Precepts

To reiterate from my previous article, [add link] tradition identifies six principal Precepts of the Catholic Church, as listed in the Baltimore Catechism (online version: Lesson #35. question #389) and other older catechisms:[3]

1. To assist at Holy Mass on all Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation;
2. To fast and abstain on all days appointed;
3. To confess our sins at least once a year;
4. To receive Holy Communion at least once a year (Easter duty);
5. To contribute to the support of the Church;
6. To observe the laws of the Church concerning Marriage.

In contrast, Pope John Paul II’s 1992 catechism, Catechism of the Catholic Church, only lists five precepts. Interestingly, it removes the obligation to obey the Church’s laws concerning marriage! (See Nos. 2041-2043.) You can see an online copy on the USCCB’s website.

Eliminating this precept is especially disturbing since, as Sister Lucia has stated, marriage will be the battle between the kingdom of Christ and the devil. According to Cardinal Carlo Caffara, in response to a letter he had written to Sister Lucia after John Paul II appointed him head of the new Pontifical Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family, he received an unexpected response from Sister Lucia in 1983 or 1984. In her letter, she wrote:

“Father, a time will come when the decisive battle between the kingdom of Christ and satan will be over marriage and family.”

Yet even more perplexing and troubling is the most recent change. Many are still unaware of it as it has not received much publicity. But if you look up the online Catechism of the Catholic Church on the Vatican’s website, you will see that it has been further modified under Pope Francis. It omits the customary Fifth Precept (to support the Church) and replaces it with what is effectively a reiteration of the First Precept. This precept now reads “Keep holy the holy days of obligation” (see Nos. 2041-2043). Thus, Pope Francis’ current Catechism only lists four of the traditional Six Precepts!

Conclusion

To conform with the traditional teaching of the Catholic Church, one must adhere to the Six Precepts as listed in traditional catechisms. These are explained in my previous article. However, the Church has other laws which we are also obligated to obey. An exhaustive and closed list of such precepts does not, to my knowledge, exist. However, an excellent resource for Catholics to study is The Catechism Explained by Fathers Spirago and Clarke. In a forthcoming article, I will also address the “seventh precept.”

It is important to keep in mind that the Church’s precepts are a clear expression of God’s love for us. Consequently, we keep the precepts of the Church for the sake of justice and charity.

We do well to remember that the precepts express minimums to which all are bound. In our desire to love God more and to grow in sanctity, we will go far beyond these minimums. No saint ever conformed himself to only fulfilling basic precepts. And we know Our Lady at Fatima requested of each of us more than just the minimum. To live the Message of Fatima we will:

• Cease offending God and strive to always remain in the state of grace.
• Pray the Rosary every day (five decades).
• Pray for Russia’s consecration and consecrate ourselves to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. (The Fatima Center is organizing such a personal consecration from August 13-21, 2024.)
• Faithfully wear the Brown Scapular.
• Offer prayer and penance, for the conversion of sinners, for the Pope and the Church hierarchy (especially the penance of our daily duty and the keeping of God’s laws and the Church’s precepts).
• Practicing the First Saturday devotion every month, which includes Holy Communion, a good confession, and mental prayer.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, be our salvation.

ENDNOTES:

[1] For details, see https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04154a.htm.

[2] Meaning, instant and automatic excommunication brought upon oneself by their act; no solemn pronouncement needed by the Church or local bishop.

[3] See also My Catholic Faith by Most Reverend Louis LaRavoire Morrow, D.D., Bishop of Krishnagar (Kansas City, Missouri: Sarto House, 1949) Lesson 117, page 236.