Catholic Essentials

The Ten Commandments are more than simply rules and laws. They are a foundation of moral teaching and shape our obligations as Christians in relationship to God. The Ten Commandments were given to Moses by God on Mt. Sinai after being rescued by God from slavery in Egypt. These Commandments are the expression and sign of the Covenant between God and God’s people and are just as powerful and binding as they were when they were written.

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 your 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 desire your neighbor's wife
10. You shall not desire your neighbor's goods

When asked which was the greatest of the commandments, Jesus responded with two. In this teaching of Jesus, these commandments complement each other and cannot be seen as existing apart from the other. The first is to love the Lord thy God with all thy YOUR heart, soul, mind and strength and the second is to love your neighbor as yourself.

These are teachings of Jesus during the Sermon on the Mount in which he describes the attitudes and actions that should characterize his disciples and followers. They can be seen as blueprints for living an authentic Christian life.

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven
2. Blessed are the meek: for they shall posses the land
3. Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted
4. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill
5. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy
6. Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God
7. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God
8. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven

1. Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. (Luke 23:34)
2. Amen I say to thee: This day thou shalt be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:43)
3. Woman, behold thy son. . . .Behold thy mother. (John 19:26-27)
4. Eli, Eli, lamma sabachtani? (My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?) (Matthew 27:46)
5. I thirst. (John 19:28)
6. It is finished. (John 19:30)
7. Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit. (Luke 23:46)

• Charity
• Joy
• Peace
• Patience
• Goodness
• Kindness
• Long suffering
• Humility
• Faithfulness
• Modesty
• Self-Control
• Chastity

1. One
2. Holy
3. Catholic
4. Apostolic

1. Assist at Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation, doing no unnecessary work on those days.
2. Confess serious sins at least once a year.
3. Receive Holy Communion frequently and, at a minimum, during the Easter Season.
4. Fast and abstain on appointed days and times.
5. Contribute to the support of the Church.
6. Observe the laws of the Church concerning marriage and give religious training to one’s children by word, example, and use of parish schools or religious education programs.
7. Join the missionary spirit and work of the Church.