THE FUNDAMENTAL TENETS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

Catechism’s traditional presentation of the commandments for memorization are:

  1. I am the Lord your God: You shall not have strange Gods before me.
  2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
  3. Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day.
  4. Honor your father and mother.
  5. You shall not kill.
  6. You shall not commit adultery.
  7. You shall not steal.
  8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
  9. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.
  10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.

The early Christian church, received this catechetical tradition from the Church Fathers, especially Augustine.  He relied heavily on the Decalogue as presented by Moses in Deuteronomy 5.  Thus, until the late Middle Ages, children memorized the commandments in the order as we still know it from the Catechism.  Even after the Reformation, Lutherans and Catholics agreed on this enumeration and arrangement.

AND THE CHIEF PRECEPTS, OR LAWS, OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

  1. To assist at Holy Mass on all Sundays and Holydays of obligation.
  2. To fast and to abstain on the days appointed.
  3. To confess our sins at least once a year.
  4. To receive Holy Communion during the Easter time.
  5. To contribute to the support of the Church.
  6. To observe the laws of the Church concerning marriage.

STRENGTHENED BY PRAYER

Pray as the Lord taught us

Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, 
Thy will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen.

NOURISHED BY THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS

CHRISTIAN INITIATION

HEALING

SERVICE & MISSION

Baptism   Reconciliation Marriage
Confirmation   Anointing of the Sick Holy Orders
Eucharist    

ADMONISHED TO AVOID

ENCOURAGED TO EMBRACE

THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS

THE SEVEN CARDINAL VIRTUES

Pride Humility
Covetousness Charity
Lust Chastity
Anger Patience
Gluttony Temperance
Envy Kindness
Sloth Diligence