The Laws of the Church: Confession,
Communion, Support, and Marriage
This lesson covers the rest of the Church’s precepts: yearly Confession, Easter Communion,
supporting the parish, and the Church’s laws on marriage.
Confession Once a Year
397. Q. What is meant by the command of confessing at least once a year?
A. By the command of confessing at least once a year is meant that we are obliged,
under pain of mortal sin, to go to confession within the year.
398. Q. Should we confess only once a year?
A. We should confess frequently, if we wish to lead a good life.
399. Q. Should children go to Confession?
A. Children should go to Confession when they are old enough to commit sin, which is
commonly about the age of seven years.
The Church’s law requires anyone conscious of mortal sin to confess at least once a year. But
once a year is the bare minimum. Anyone serious about their spiritual life should go much
more often. Many good Catholics go once a month.
Children usually make their first Confession around age seven, the “age of reason,” before
their First Communion.
Remember: Go to Confession at least once a year, and better, much more often.
Read more: Catechism of the Catholic Church §§1457, 2042.
Easter Communion
400. Q. What sin does he commit who neglects to receive Communion during the Easter
time?
A. He who neglects to receive Communion during the Easter time commits a mortal sin.
401. Q. What is the Easter time?
A. The Easter time is, in this country, the time between the first Sunday of Lent and
Trinity Sunday.
Every Catholic who has made First Communion must receive Communion at least once a
year, during the Easter season, in the state of grace. In the United States, this period still runs
from the First Sunday of Lent to Trinity Sunday (the Sunday after Pentecost). This is
sometimes called the “Easter duty.”
Remember: Receive Communion at least once each year in the Easter season.
Supporting the Church
402. Q. Are we obliged to contribute to the support of our pastors?
A. We are obliged to contribute to the support of our pastors, and to bear our share in the
expenses of the church and school.
The parish needs support to keep its doors open, pay its staff, run its programs, care for the
poor, and support its priests. Every Catholic should give according to their means. Support
includes not just money but also time and talent: volunteering, serving, and praying for the
parish.
Remember: Support your parish with your time, your talent, and your treasure.
Read more: Catechism of the Catholic Church §2043.
The Church’s Laws on Marriage
403. Q. What is the meaning of the commandment not to marry within the third degree
of kindred?
A. The meaning of the commandment not to marry within the third degree of kindred is
that no one is allowed to marry another within the third degree of blood relationship.
404. Q. What is the meaning of the command not to marry privately?
A. The command not to marry privately means that none should marry without the
blessing of God’s priests or without witnesses.
405. Q. What is the meaning of the precept not to solemnize marriage at forbidden
times?
A. The meaning of the precept not to solemnize marriage at forbidden times is that
during Lent and Advent the marriage ceremony should not be performed with pomp or a
nuptial Mass.
These are rules about how Catholics marry. In today’s Church law:
• Close relatives may not marry. The Church forbids marriage between blood relatives up
to and including first cousins, unless a dispensation is granted.
• Not privately. Catholics must marry before a priest or deacon and two witnesses,
normally in a church. A Catholic who marries outside this form without the Church’s
permission does not contract a valid marriage.
• Lent and Advent. Weddings may take place, but should be simpler, in keeping with
these seasons of penance and preparation.
If you were married outside the Church, talk to a priest. It is often possible to have the
marriage blessed and made valid (“convalidated”).
Remember: Catholics marry before a priest or deacon and two witnesses, in the Church.
Read more: Catechism of the Catholic Church §§1631, 1635.
The Wedding Mass
406. Q. What is the nuptial Mass?
A. A nuptial Mass is a Mass appointed by the Church to invoke a special blessing upon
the married couple.
407. Q. Should Catholics be married at a nuptial Mass?
A. Catholics should be married at a nuptial Mass, because they thereby show greater
reverence for the holy Sacrament and bring richer blessings upon their wedded life.
When two Catholics marry, the Church encourages them to marry during Mass, often called a
“nuptial Mass” or wedding Mass. It places their new marriage at the foot of the altar and
includes a special blessing. When a Catholic marries someone who is not Catholic, the
wedding is usually celebrated without Mass.
Remember: A wedding Mass puts a new marriage at the heart of the Church’s prayer.
Read more: Catechism of the Catholic Church §1621.
Putting It Into Practice
• Mark your calendar with a plan to go to Confession regularly.
• Review what you give to your parish, and pray about whether it is generous.
Questions to Think About
1. Why do you think the Church sets a minimum for Confession and Communion?
2. Why does it matter that a Catholic marriage takes place in the Church?
A Prayer
Lord, bless our parish and all who serve it. Make us generous with our time and
gifts, faithful to the sacraments, and united as one family in you. Amen.