{"appState":{"pageLoadApiCallsStatus":true},"articleState":{"article":{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-26T21:38:02+00:00","modifiedTime":"2020-01-21T20:34:29+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:17:30+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Body, Mind, & Spirit","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34038"},"slug":"body-mind-spirit","categoryId":34038},{"name":"Religion & Spirituality","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34202"},"slug":"religion-spirituality","categoryId":34202},{"name":"Christianity","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34206"},"slug":"christianity","categoryId":34206},{"name":"Catholicism","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34208"},"slug":"catholicism","categoryId":34208}],"title":"Basic Requirements for Catholics","strippedTitle":"basic requirements for catholics","slug":"basic-requirements-for-catholics","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"As a Catholic, basically you’re required to live a Christian life, pray daily, participate in the sacraments, obey the moral law , and accept the teachings of C","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"As a Catholic, basically you’re required to live a Christian life, pray daily, participate in the sacraments, obey the <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/religion/christianity/catholicism/catholicism-and-the-ten-commandments/\">moral law</a>, and accept the teachings of Christ and his Church. Following are the minimum requirements for Catholics:\r\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Attend Mass every Sunday and holy day of obligation.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Go to confession annually if not more often or when needed.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Receive Holy Communion during Easter. Receiving weekly or daily is encouraged, though.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b></b>Observe laws on fasting and abstinence: one full meal on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday; not eating meat on Fridays during Lent.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b></b>Obey the marriage laws of the Church.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Support the Church financially and otherwise.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<i>Knowing</i> the faith is the first step to being Catholic, <i>accepting</i> the faith is the second step, and <i>practicing</i> the faith is the third — and most difficult — step. Obeying the rules involves appreciating the wisdom and value of the various rules and laws. And, you’re asked to put that belief into action, to <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/religion/christianity/catholicism/basic-beliefs-of-catholicism/\">practice what you believe</a>.","description":"As a Catholic, basically you’re required to live a Christian life, pray daily, participate in the sacraments, obey the <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/religion/christianity/catholicism/catholicism-and-the-ten-commandments/\">moral law</a>, and accept the teachings of Christ and his Church. Following are the minimum requirements for Catholics:\r\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Attend Mass every Sunday and holy day of obligation.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Go to confession annually if not more often or when needed.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Receive Holy Communion during Easter. Receiving weekly or daily is encouraged, though.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b></b>Observe laws on fasting and abstinence: one full meal on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday; not eating meat on Fridays during Lent.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b></b>Obey the marriage laws of the Church.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Support the Church financially and otherwise.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<i>Knowing</i> the faith is the first step to being Catholic, <i>accepting</i> the faith is the second step, and <i>practicing</i> the faith is the third — and most difficult — step. Obeying the rules involves appreciating the wisdom and value of the various rules and laws. And, you’re asked to put that belief into action, to <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/religion/christianity/catholicism/basic-beliefs-of-catholicism/\">practice what you believe</a>.","blurb":"","authors":[],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":34208,"title":"Catholicism","slug":"catholicism","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34208"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":235898,"title":"10 Famous Catholics","slug":"10-famous-catholics","categoryList":["body-mind-spirit","religion-spirituality","christianity","catholicism"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/235898"}},{"articleId":235895,"title":"11 Popular Catholic Saints","slug":"11-popular-catholic-saints","categoryList":["body-mind-spirit","religion-spirituality","christianity","catholicism"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/235895"}},{"articleId":235892,"title":"Famous Martyrs of the Roman Persecutions","slug":"famous-martyrs-roman-persecutions","categoryList":["body-mind-spirit","religion-spirituality","christianity","catholicism"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/235892"}},{"articleId":235889,"title":"Catholicism in Ancient Times (A.D. 33–741)","slug":"catholicism-ancient-times-d-33-741","categoryList":["body-mind-spirit","religion-spirituality","christianity","catholicism"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/235889"}},{"articleId":235886,"title":"Catholicism in the Time of Charlemagne","slug":"catholicism-time-charlemagne","categoryList":["body-mind-spirit","religion-spirituality","christianity","catholicism"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/235886"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":true,"relatedBook":{"bookId":282064,"slug":"catholicism-for-dummies","isbn":"9781119855712","categoryList":["body-mind-spirit","religion-spirituality","christianity","catholicism"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119855713/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1119855713/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/1119855713-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1119855713/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1119855713/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://catalogimages.wiley.com/images/db/jimages/9781119855712.jpg","width":250,"height":350},"title":"Catholicism For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":true,"authorsInfo":"\n <p><p><b>Rev. Fr. John Trigilio, Jr., PhD, ThD,</b> is President of the Confraternity of Catholic Clergy and a member of the faculty at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland.</p> <p><b>Rev. Fr. Kenneth Brighenti, PhD,</b> is co-host with Father Trigilio of a weekly television program on EWTN called <i>Web of Faith</i>. With Father Trigilio, he is the co-author of previous editions of <i>Catholicism For Dummies</i>. <p><b>Rev. Fr. John Trigilio, Jr., PhD, ThD,</b> is President of the Confraternity of Catholic Clergy and a member of the faculty at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland.</p> <p><b>Rev. Fr. Kenneth Brighenti, PhD,</b> is co-host with Father Trigilio of a weekly television program on EWTN called <i>Web of Faith</i>. With Father Trigilio, he is the co-author of previous editions of <i>Catholicism For Dummies</i>.</p>","authors":[{"authorId":35292,"name":"Rev. John Trigilio, Jr.","slug":"rev-john-trigilio,-jr","description":" <p><b>Rev. Fr. John Trigilio, Jr., PhD, ThD,</b> is President of the Confraternity of Catholic Clergy and a member of the faculty at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland.</p> <p><b>Rev. Fr. Kenneth Brighenti, PhD,</b> is co-host with Father Trigilio of a weekly television program on EWTN called <i>Web of Faith</i>. With Father Trigilio, he is the co-author of previous editions of <i>Catholicism For Dummies</i>. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/35292"}},{"authorId":9014,"name":"Rev. Kenneth Brighenti","slug":"rev-kenneth-brighenti","description":" <p><b>Rev. Fr. John Trigilio, Jr., PhD, ThD,</b> is President of the Confraternity of Catholic Clergy and a member of the faculty at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland.</p> <p><b>Rev. Fr. Kenneth Brighenti, PhD,</b> is co-host with Father Trigilio of a weekly television program on EWTN called <i>Web of Faith</i>. With Father Trigilio, he is the co-author of previous editions of <i>Catholicism For Dummies</i>. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9014"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/282064"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{"key":"cat","values":["body-mind-spirit","religion-spirituality","christianity","catholicism"]},{"key":"isbn","values":[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221aba5d9ef\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{"key":"cat","values":["body-mind-spirit","religion-spirituality","christianity","catholicism"]},{"key":"isbn","values":[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221aba5e2ab\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Articles","articleList":null,"content":null,"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Explore","lifeExpectancy":null,"lifeExpectancySetFrom":null,"dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":193154},"articleLoadedStatus":"success"},"listState":{"list":{},"objectTitle":"","status":"initial","pageType":null,"objectId":null,"page":1,"sortField":"time","sortOrder":1,"categoriesIds":[],"articleTypes":[],"filterData":{},"filterDataLoadedStatus":"initial","pageSize":10},"adsState":{"pageScripts":{"headers":{"timestamp":"2024-03-04T05:50:01+00:00"},"adsId":0,"data":{"scripts":[{"pages":["all"],"location":"header","script":"\r\n<script src=\"https://cdn.optimizely.com/js/10563184655.js\"></script>","enabled":false},{"pages":["all"],"location":"header","script":"\r\n<script>var _comscore = _comscore || [];_comscore.push({ c1: \"2\", c2: \"15097263\" });(function() {var s = document.createElement(\"script\"), el = document.getElementsByTagName(\"script\")[0]; s.async = true;s.src = (document.location.protocol == \"https:\" ? \"https://sb\" : \"http://b\") + \".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\";el.parentNode.insertBefore(s, el);})();</script><noscript><img src=\"https://sb.scorecardresearch.com/p?c1=2&c2=15097263&cv=2.0&cj=1\" /></noscript>\r\n","enabled":true},{"pages":["all"],"location":"footer","script":"\r\n<script type='text/javascript'>\r\n(function(){var g=function(e,h,f,g){\r\nthis.get=function(a){for(var a=a+\"=\",c=document.cookie.split(\";\"),b=0,e=c.length;b<e;b++){for(var d=c[b];\" \"==d.charAt(0);)d=d.substring(1,d.length);if(0==d.indexOf(a))return d.substring(a.length,d.length)}return null};\r\nthis.set=function(a,c){var b=\"\",b=new Date;b.setTime(b.getTime()+6048E5);b=\"; expires=\"+b.toGMTString();document.cookie=a+\"=\"+c+b+\"; path=/; \"};\r\nthis.check=function(){var a=this.get(f);if(a)a=a.split(\":\");else if(100!=e)\"v\"==h&&(e=Math.random()>=e/100?0:100),a=[h,e,0],this.set(f,a.join(\":\"));else return!0;var c=a[1];if(100==c)return!0;switch(a[0]){case \"v\":return!1;case \"r\":return c=a[2]%Math.floor(100/c),a[2]++,this.set(f,a.join(\":\")),!c}return!0};\r\nthis.go=function(){if(this.check()){var a=document.createElement(\"script\");a.type=\"text/javascript\";a.src=g;document.body&&document.body.appendChild(a)}};\r\nthis.start=function(){var t=this;\"complete\"!==document.readyState?window.addEventListener?window.addEventListener(\"load\",function(){t.go()},!1):window.attachEvent&&window.attachEvent(\"onload\",function(){t.go()}):t.go()};};\r\ntry{(new g(100,\"r\",\"QSI_S_ZN_5o5yqpvMVjgDOuN\",\"https://zn5o5yqpvmvjgdoun-wiley.siteintercept.qualtrics.com/SIE/?Q_ZID=ZN_5o5yqpvMVjgDOuN\")).start()}catch(i){}})();\r\n</script><div id='ZN_5o5yqpvMVjgDOuN'></div>\r\n","enabled":false},{"pages":["all"],"location":"header","script":"\r\n<script>\r\n (function(h,o,t,j,a,r){\r\n h.hj=h.hj||function(){(h.hj.q=h.hj.q||[]).push(arguments)};\r\n h._hjSettings={hjid:257151,hjsv:6};\r\n a=o.getElementsByTagName('head')[0];\r\n r=o.createElement('script');r.async=1;\r\n r.src=t+h._hjSettings.hjid+j+h._hjSettings.hjsv;\r\n a.appendChild(r);\r\n })(window,document,'https://static.hotjar.com/c/hotjar-','.js?sv=');\r\n</script>","enabled":false},{"pages":["article"],"location":"header","script":" <script src=\"//get.s-onetag.com/bffe21a1-6bb8-4928-9449-7beadb468dae/tag.min.js\" async defer></script>","enabled":true},{"pages":["homepage"],"location":"header","script":"<meta name=\"facebook-domain-verification\" content=\"irk8y0irxf718trg3uwwuexg6xpva0\" />","enabled":true},{"pages":["homepage","article","category","search"],"location":"footer","script":"\r\n<noscript>\r\n<img height=\"1\" width=\"1\" src=\"https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=256338321977984&ev=PageView&noscript=1\"/>\r\n</noscript>\r\n","enabled":true}]}},"pageScriptsLoadedStatus":"success"},"navigationState":{"navigationCollections":[{"collectionId":287568,"title":"BYOB (Be Your Own Boss)","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-entry-level-entrepreneur-287568"},{"collectionId":293237,"title":"Be a Rad Dad","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/be-the-best-dad-293237"},{"collectionId":295890,"title":"Career Shifting","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/career-shifting-295890"},{"collectionId":294090,"title":"Contemplating the Cosmos","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/theres-something-about-space-294090"},{"collectionId":287563,"title":"For Those Seeking Peace of Mind","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-those-seeking-peace-of-mind-287563"},{"collectionId":287570,"title":"For the Aspiring Aficionado","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-bougielicious-287570"},{"collectionId":291903,"title":"For the Budding Cannabis Enthusiast","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-budding-cannabis-enthusiast-291903"},{"collectionId":299891,"title":"For the College Bound","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-college-bound-299891"},{"collectionId":291934,"title":"For the Exam-Season Crammer","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-exam-season-crammer-291934"},{"collectionId":301547,"title":"For the Game Day Prepper","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/big-game-day-prep-made-easy-301547"}],"navigationCollectionsLoadedStatus":"success","navigationCategories":{"books":{"0":{"data":[{"categoryId":33512,"title":"Technology","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/technology-33512"},{"categoryId":33662,"title":"Academics & The Arts","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/academics-the-arts-33662"},{"categoryId":33809,"title":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/home-auto-hobbies-33809"},{"categoryId":34038,"title":"Body, Mind, & Spirit","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/body-mind-spirit-34038"},{"categoryId":34224,"title":"Business, Careers, & Money","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/business-careers-money-34224"}],"breadcrumbs":[],"categoryTitle":"Level 0 Category","mainCategoryUrl":"/category/books/level-0-category-0"}},"articles":{"0":{"data":[{"categoryId":33512,"title":"Technology","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/technology-33512"},{"categoryId":33662,"title":"Academics & The Arts","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/academics-the-arts-33662"},{"categoryId":33809,"title":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/home-auto-hobbies-33809"},{"categoryId":34038,"title":"Body, Mind, & Spirit","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/body-mind-spirit-34038"},{"categoryId":34224,"title":"Business, Careers, & Money","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/business-careers-money-34224"}],"breadcrumbs":[],"categoryTitle":"Level 0 Category","mainCategoryUrl":"/category/articles/level-0-category-0"}}},"navigationCategoriesLoadedStatus":"success"},"searchState":{"searchList":[],"searchStatus":"initial","relatedArticlesList":[],"relatedArticlesStatus":"initial"},"routeState":{"name":"Article4","path":"/article/body-mind-spirit/religion-spirituality/christianity/catholicism/basic-requirements-for-catholics-193154/","hash":"","query":{},"params":{"category1":"body-mind-spirit","category2":"religion-spirituality","category3":"christianity","category4":"catholicism","article":"basic-requirements-for-catholics-193154"},"fullPath":"/article/body-mind-spirit/religion-spirituality/christianity/catholicism/basic-requirements-for-catholics-193154/","meta":{"routeType":"article","breadcrumbInfo":{"suffix":"Articles","baseRoute":"/category/articles"},"prerenderWithAsyncData":true},"from":{"name":null,"path":"/","hash":"","query":{},"params":{},"fullPath":"/","meta":{}}},"dropsState":{"submitEmailResponse":false,"status":"initial"},"profileState":{"auth":{},"userOptions":{},"status":"success"}}

Basic Requirements for Catholics

Updated: 01-21-2020

Catholicism For Dummies

Book image

Explore Book Buy On Amazon

As a Catholic, basically you’re required to live a Christian life, pray daily, participate in the sacraments, obey the moral law, and accept the teachings of Christ and his Church. Following are the minimum requirements for Catholics:

Attend Mass every Sunday and holy day of obligation.
Go to confession annually if not more often or when needed.
Receive Holy Communion during Easter. Receiving weekly or daily is encouraged, though.
Observe laws on fasting and abstinence: one full meal on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday; not eating meat on Fridays during Lent.
Obey the marriage laws of the Church.
Support the Church financially and otherwise.

Knowing the faith is the first step to being Catholic, accepting the faith is the second step, and practicing the faith is the third — and most difficult — step. Obeying the rules involves appreciating the wisdom and value of the various rules and laws. And, you’re asked to put that belief into action, to practice what you believe.

About This Article

This article can be found in the category:

Catholicism ,