Q: I have a couple of questions I am hoping you can give me guidance on.  I have a candidate and a catechumen who just began OCIA,  are they permitted to go through marriage prep before they formally enter the church?  The catechumen is 22 yrs old and is very astute already but won’t be able to come in at this Easter Vigil as he has only attended 3 classes so far.  Also, is there a provision for entrance into the Church through Baptism, Confirmation, First Communion outside of the Easter Vigil? Or will he have to wait till Easter of 2027 to come in?  If his fiance who is baptized comes into the Church sooner than him would it be ok for them to marry?  Or should that be postponed until his entry into the Church.  I appreciate your guidance.
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A: As a deacon, once you celebrate the Rite for Entrance into the Catechumenate with an unbaptized person, that person is eligible to be married in the Catholic Church (OCIA 47). They may begin marriage prep and celebrate matrimony.

Adult baptism apart from the Easter vigil may happen with the permission of the bishop (OCIA 34/2).

The Christian fiancée may be received into the full communion of the Catholic Church either before or after marrying a catechumen.

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