Did the Catholic church have 6 precepts and was the 6Th dropped?

Roman Catholic Answer

The precepts of the Church are a short hand way of remembering your duties as a Christian, there have been varying numbers. Currently there are seven, there were six in the old Baltimore Catechism, and there were five listed in the new Catechism of the Catholic Church. The later dropped the sixth, which was to obey the marriage laws of the Church. Pope John Paul II added the seventh which is to contribute to the missionary work of the Church. They are all valid, it just depends on which ones you list!

Seven Precepts of the Church


1. To assist at Mass and rest from servile work on all Sundays and holidays of obligation.
2. To fast and abstain on the days appointed by the Church;
3. To go to confession at least once a year;
4. To receive the Blessed Sacrament at least once a year, and that about Easter time;
5. To contribute to the support of our pastors according to our means;
6. Not to marry within certain degrees of kindred, nor to marry with solemnity at forbidden times.
7. To join in the missionary spirit and apostolate of the Church.

The sixth commandment of the church is no longer listed in modern Catechisms, although to the best of my knowledge it is still in effect. If I can remember correctly, it said that one must follow the marriage laws of the Church which specified in what seasons you could NOT solemnize marriage (Lent, Easter Triduum), what degrees of marriage were not allowed - like first cousins marrying, that kind of thing. If you need me to, I can look it up for the exact wording. Does that help?

There are five precepts (commands) listed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. These are mandatory but not sufficient in themselves for salvation. They are to set a context for the bounds of the moral life and are meant to complement the liturgical life. These are considered to be the very minimum that should be part of the moral life and growth in love of God and neighbour.
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.

The sixth precept has always been "To obey the marriage laws of the Church", Pope John Paul II added a seventh, "To participate in the missionary actiivity of the Church".
 

Roman Catholic Answer

The precepts of the Church have varied, in number, between four, six, and more. A list by the Catholic Bishops in the United States stands at 7:
1) To keep holy the day of the Lord's Resurrection: to worship God by paritipating 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, etc.
2) To lead a sacramental life: to receive Holy Communion freaquently 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, between the First Sunday of Lent and Trinity Sunday.
3) To study Catholic teaching in preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation, to be confirmed, then to continue to study and advance the cause of Christ.
4) 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.
5) To strengthen and support the Church: one's own parish community and parish priest; the worldwide Church and the Holy Father.
6) To do penance, including abstaining from meat and fasting from food on the appointed days.
7) To join in the missionary spirit and apostolate of the Church.