Lesson Thirty-Fifth of the Baltimore Catechism No. 2 is the first of two lessons on the commandments of the Church, also known as the precepts of the Church.
The first commandment of the Church is the Sunday Duty, which requires us, under pain of mortal sin, to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation.
The second commandment of the Church is to observe the laws of fasting and abstinence, in order to bring our passions under control and do penance for our sins.
The questions are numbered consecutively with Lesson Thirty-Fourth. For more information and links to other resources, click on each question below.
389. Q. Which are the chief commandments of the Church?
A. The chief commandments of the Church are six:- To hear Mass on Sundays and holydays of obligation.
- To fast and abstain on the days appointed.
- To confess at least once a year.
- To receive the Holy Eucharist during the Easter time.
- To contribute to the support of our pastors.
- Not to marry persons who are not Catholics, or who are related to us within the third degree of kindred, nor privately without witnesses, nor to solemnize marriage at forbidden times.
