Precepts of the Church
and Acts of Piety



Ad Tuendam Fidem
by Pope John Paul II
Apostolic Letter issued Motu Proprio, by which certain norms are inserted into the Code of Canon Law and into the Code of Canon of the Eastern Churches

How to Think Properly About Fasting
by John-Paul Ignatius, Legion of St. Michael
The subject of fasting is one that causes much confusion and even guilt which Satan can then use to beat over our heads. Thus offered here are some guidelines on how we should think about fasting.

Precepts of the Church
by Father Hal Stockert
Catholic spirituality, unlike the spirituality of other groups, Christian or not, places duty, honor and obligation before one's own rights. Only when we are completely fulfilled in the performance of our duties and obligations to God and to others are we permitted to concern ourselves with our personal "rights."

Ordinatio Sacerdotalis
by Pope John Paul II
Apostolic Letter on Reserving Priestly Ordination to Men Alone, May 22, 1994

True Devotion to The Blessed Virgin
by St. Louis de Montfort

Vita Consecrata
by Pope John Paul II
Apostolic Letter on the Consecrated Life and its Mission in the Church and in the World, March 25, 1996

Universi Dominici Gregis
by Pope John Paul II
Apostolic Constitutionon the Vacancy of the Apostolic See and the Election of the Roman Pontiff
February 22, 1996

Dies Domini
by Pope John Paul II
Apostolic Letter
on keeping the Lord's day holy
July 7, 1998

Suggestions on Eucharistic Adoration
Fr. Martin Lucia
Addresses frequently asked questions about Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. This article is written by Fr. Martin Lucia, director of the Apostolate for Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration

What Is Perpetual Adoration?
Franciscan Friars of Marytown
Perpetual Adoration is a Eucharistic devotion whereby members of a given parish (or other entity) unite in taking hours of adoration before the Most Blessed Sacrament (in most cases, exposed), both during the day and throughout the night, seven days a week.

Perpetual Adoration Apostolates
EWTN Staff
A list of organizations that will supply literature, advice, sometimes speakers and other help with starting Perpetual Adoration in your Church.

The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist:
The Value of Sacrifice
Apostolate for Perpetual Adoration
The Purpose of this pamphlet is to help us understand the value of being willing to make a sacrifice by spending one hour each week in the middle of the night with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament so that our parish may have the great blessing of having Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration.

The Spiritual Life
Adolphe Tanquerey
Perfection of this life: the love of God and of the neighbor carried to the point of sacrifice.

Practice During Lent
by Abbot Gueranger O.S.B.
"The courageous observance of the Church's precept of fasting and abstaining during Lent must be accompanied by those two other eminently good works, to which God so frequently urges us in the Scripture: prayer and almsdeeds. Just as under the term 'fasting' the Church comprises all kinds of mortification; so under the word 'prayer' she includes all those exercises of piety whereby the soul holds intercourse with her God. More frequent attendance at the services of the Church, assisting daily at Mass, spiritual reading, meditation upon eternal truths and the Passion, hearing sermons, and, above all, approaching the Sacraments of Penance and the holy Eucharist-these are the chief means whereby the faithful should offer to God the homage of prayer, during this holy season."

Eucharistic Piety: A Strong Recommendation
By Fr. Regis Scanlon, O.F.M., Cap.
Discusses the desirability of an individual act of adoration before receiving Communion, in the context of Scripture, Tradition, and the documents of the Church. Uploaded by Robin M. Peacock. This article originally appeared in 'Theotokos', the newsletter of the Auraria Catholic Club, Denver, Colorado.

"DECALOGUE"–The Ten Commandments Today
by Fr. Hal Stockert
It has lately become fashionable to decry the Ten Commandments as "too negative." Even the classical and literary expression "Thou Shalt Not" is avoided–nearly entirely. Even in religious classes conducted by religious, children are encouraged by their instructors to look elsewhere for their moral values–and rarely, if ever, is there a suggestion of where *else* to look
June 3, 1986

Eucharistic Adoration:
A Window to Heaven
Father Raymond T. Gawronski, S.J.
There is no monitor or video screen at eucharistic adoration, no figures or colors shifting across the screen. We simply sit and look at a round piece of bread encircled by light. That bread is the Body of Christ, the consecrated Host, before which countless Catholics gaze in rapt adoration throughout the world. Why? Read this article for an insight into Catholic teaching

Perpetual Adoration:
An Ancient Devotion in Modern Times
Mike Aquilina
At a time when surveys are showing that belief in Christ's Eucharistic Presence is slipping even among churchgoing Catholics, such devotions can play an important role in restoring authentic Catholic faith at a popular level. Provides a good outline of perpetual adoration

The History of Eucharistic Adoration–
Development of Doctrine in the Catholic Church
John A. Hardon, S.J.
Devotion to the Real Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist is authentic Catholic doctrine and it rests on the unchangeable truth of our revealed faith. But it needs to be explained, and the explanation is a classic example of what we call development of doctrine.