The Paschal Precept

The Paschal Precept

Submitted by Thomas Stidl

         What is the Paschal Precept?  It is a command by Holy Mother the Church for all her children to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and of the Holy Eucharist during the Lenten/Easter season.  Most Catholics that I know receive the Holy Eucharist on Sundays or Holy Days of Obligation.  This is a great habit or practice of our faith.  The Eucharistic meal is God’s true presence in the world today.  The meal strengthens us for all the tasks that lie ahead of us for that day or week.  We should also be properly disposed to receive the Eucharist by not being in a state mortal sin and sorrowful for our venial sins.

         Since the Lenten/Easter season is a special time of the year as we commemorate the passion, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus it is also a great time to receive absolution in the sacrament of Penance or Reconciliation.  By humbling ourselves before God and reciting our sins that we can recall to a priest, we admit to the priest and God that we are not perfect human beings.  During the sacrament after we have confessed our sins, the priest will advise us how to avoid sin and temptations to sin.  This advice is for our own spiritual growth and mental health.  It may also help your physical health as well.  The sacrament is a healing remedy for body, mind, and soul.  The priest will then give us a penance (usually prayers to be said) that will reduce the other side effect of sin, namely the merited punishment for our sins that we either suffer in this life or the next.  After we recite the act of contrition the priest will absolve us from the guilt of our sins committed.  The priest’s absolution brings us reconciliation with God and the Church, a remission of eternal punishment from mortal sins committed, peace of mind, and the strength we need to battle all evil in our life.  We must also try to make reparations to any that we have harmed by our sinning.  If we cannot accomplish this task physically, we should at least pray for those souls that we harmed.

         It is very important that we confess our sins and receive the Holy Eucharist at this time.  Great graces flow from these sacraments.  Looking at the conditions of the world today such as the war in Ukraine, the war in Israel, the possible takeover of Formosa by the Peoples Republic of China and many other conflicts in the world, it would be very prudent for all of us to insure the status of our souls are always pleasing to God and in the state of sanctifying grace for our Particular Judgment should death occur.  Remember we are responsible for ourselves first and also other human beings.

         Fulfilling the paschal precept also gives everyone a chance to secure a plenary indulgence for our self.  This means that when we die we may go directly to heaven or bypass a great amount of purgatory.  That will be the topic of my next article, so now I beg and plead with all Catholics to seek sacramental absolution and receive the Holy Eucharist during Lent.

         Until next time, Laus Tibi, Christe.  Deo Gratias.  Gloria Tibi Domini.  Laus Deo.  See you in Paradise.