By: Bernadette Parrott
Welcome to our Faith Renewal Series that is exploring The ABCs of Being Catholic. We are invited on a journey through the alphabet to explore Catholic terms, beliefs, and traditions. In this post we focus on the letter “P”.
If you missed our Introduction to this series <click here>. To go back to the letter “O” post <click here>. To go to the letter “Q” post <click here>.
Precepts of the Church
June 24, 2021
There are five, just five.
We could discuss this topic is detail for days! First approved in 1884, the Precepts of the Catholic Church are binding obligations to help us achieve holiness. There are five, just five.
They can be found detailed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) #2042-2043.
| First Precept | “You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation and rest from servile labour.” |
| Second Precept | “You shall confess your sins at least once a year.” |
| Third Precept | “You shall receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter Season.” |
| Fourth Precept | “You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church.” |
| Fifth Precept | “You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church.” |
These five Precepts are nourished by our Liturgical and Sacramental life. They are a call to action stemming from our Baptism and Confirmation. Since the Church is a community of people sharing one faith, carried by hope and by a formed conscience we are called to love God and man. The invitation comes from Jesus himself. The Holy Spirit is our guide and animator, and with them, we truly can reach throughout the whole world, and we can start right in our parish.
Let’s take a closer look at them.
In the First Precept we see the call to attend Mas on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. We are also bound to the call to avoid activities that will hinder a renewal of our bodies or souls. God has given us Sundays as a day for rest and for family. So, why are we bound by this First Precept? The Sunday Holy Eucharist is the foundation of our Catholic faith, it binds us to Jesus Christ for we truly are an Easter people through the Passion of our Lord, with the Eucharist – the Body and Blood of Jesus himself – commanded by Jesus at the Last Supper, when the Eucharist was instituted – do this in memory of me. Of course, we are excused for a serious reason. But, if we deliberately fail in this First Precept – if we deliberately fail to receive the Holy Eucharist, we commit a grave sin.
In Canada, there are two Holy Days of Obligation besides all Sundays. They are January 1st, the Feast of Mary the Mother of God, and Christmas Day.
In the Second Precept we encounter the binding nature to fully prepare for Holy Eucharist by seeking forgiveness, reconciliation and conversion through the reception of the Sacrament of Penance. All Catholics must confess serious or mortal sins before they are able to receive Holy Communion. With frequent confession we experience the amazing graces of our forgiving Father.
In the Third Precept (are you sensing a theme yet?) we are called to the reception of Our Lord’s Body and Blood. At its very minimum, we should be receiving Holy Eucharist between the First Sunday of Lent and Pentecost Sunday. The Holy Eucharist is the “source and summit” for through our reception of Him, we encounter Jesus as our intimate, personal God, Savior, and brother.
The Fourth Precept calls us to an interior change of heart through sacrifice. The days of abstinence from meat are Ash Friday, Good Friday and Fridays of Lent. All Fridays should also be considered, and abstinence can be replaced by consciously choosing to do Works of Mercy.
The Fifth Precept helps us to recall that we are community, on body working together to building up Christ’s church on earth. We should financially support our parish community, our parish priest, the world-wide Catholic Church and the Holy Father.
Do these sound somewhat familiar to you? The Ten Commandments and the Eight Beatitudes are closely connected to the Precepts of the Catholic Church. Also guiding us are the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, We are called to love God. We are called to seek to do God’s will while recognizing our responsibility to others.
Seem too challenging? Seem impossible? Remember that with God foremost in our hearts, all things are possible. And…
there are five – just five
“The P’s of the ABC’s”
June 17, 2021
We are a tactile church, one rich in tradition and symbolism.
Have you ever wondered, “what is that and what is it for” when Father uses a certain item during Mass? Well, the letter “P” has several of them for us to review, so I thought I would put them all in one reflection. Here we go!
The Pall – this one word is used to describe different types of palls. Basically, if it covers, it is a pall. But, of course, it goes much deeper than that. A pall is a sacred covering. One type, is a stiff square cardboard that has been draped with cloth and is placed on top of the Chalice at Mass. I invite you to pay close attention during the Eucharistic Prayer and watch Father’s actions as he uses the sacred covering during Mass.
It is also the cloth that is placed over a coffin at a funeral Mass. It helps us to recall that at our Baptism we were “clothed in Christ” and at our death, we will be raised to newness of life. It also helps us to focus our worship of God and our hope in the resurrection. On the funeral pall, you will find Christian symbols such as the Chi Rho, a cross or a vine and branches.
Paschal Candle – (or Easter Candle) – This large candle has a prominent location in the Church, and in our faith life. It is one of our sacred and elements of our faith. It is made from pure beeswax. Blessed yearly on Holy Saturday at the Easter Vigil it is symbolic of the Risen Saviour, the light of the world. It is dipped into the new waters of baptism as it is blessed. It has rich symbolism on the candle itself – five grains of incense reminding of us the five wounds of Christ, the Alfa and the Omega, and other symbolic images such as a Cross, wine and wheat. It remains lit throughout the Easter Season and is again lit during funerals, reminding us of our connection to our baptism, and of course, baptisms, passing on the light of Christ to all who enter into relationship as a child of God. I invite you to take the time to look at our Pascal Candle, which is now placed closed to the Baptismal Font.
Paten – again, “Paten” refers to two items used during the Mass.
The Communion paten is a saucer-shaped plate made of precious metal, that is held under the chin or hands of the communicant as the receive the Eucharist to catch any particle that may fall.
The Mass paten, again, is sauce-shaped, made of a precious metal, consecrated by a bishop or his delegate with holy chrism. It covers the chalice and holds the bread that will be consecrated and become the Sacred Host. I invite you to pay close attention to the use of the paten during Mass, allow it to draw you to the Real Presence.
Purificator – this white linen cloth is used by the priest during Mass, has a cross marked in the center and is folded in three layers. The priest uses it to purify his fingers and the chalice and paten after Holy Communion. It’s easy to miss the point of the Mass that the priest uses the purificator to purify is fingers – again, I invite you to pay close attention during the Eucharistic Prayer and be a part of this simple, but powerful gesture of the Mass. After everyone has received Communion, the priest will “purify” the vessels. Watch again (if you are not in prayer!)
Pyx – Have you ever been in the hospital or too ill to come to Mass and receive the Holy Eucharist? If so, you are encouraged to contact your priest and invite them to bring Our Lord to you.
The pyx is the vessel, usually gold-plated, in which the Blessed Sacrament is kept or carried when being brought to shut-ins. It is carried in a burse, similar to a small purse, that goes around the neck of the person who is carrying the Sacred Host and held close to their heart.
There are of course, more P’s, but I hope this example of them challenges you – I hope it challenges you to be an active participant in the Mass, to look and be engaged with the rich traditions and gestures of our faith and of our Mass.
If you missed our Introduction to this series <click here>. To go back to the letter “O” post <click here>.To go to the letter “Q” post <click here>.