The time that one has in the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults is a time marked by many forms of strengthening communion with the Catholic Church. At times, this goes beyond the Sacraments of Initiation and touches upon the vocational sacrament of marriage. For instance, prior to one being brought into full communion with the Catholic Church and sacramental communion with God, if a person is in a marriage not recognized by God and the Church, it is appropriate for them to be married in the Church prior to their reception of the Sacraments of Initiation.
Examples of When a Person Needs to Be Married Prior to the Reception of the Sacraments of Initiation:
An unbaptized person who is seeking the Sacraments of Initiation is cohabitating with another person but is not legitimately married to that person, especially if the other person is also not baptized and they are intending to remain married to each other.
If an unbaptized person who is seeking the Sacraments of Initiation is merely civilly married to a baptized person and the baptized person did not receive a dispensation for disparity of cult.
If two unbaptized persons were married, then divorced, is now married to another person, and unbaptized party is now seeking the Sacraments of Initiation, they will need an annulment prior to being able to convalidate their current marriage.
If a baptized person seeking to come into full communion with the Church is merely civilly married, or due to a prior attempt at marriage that ended in civil divorce. In the latter case, an annulment will need to be sought prior to the current marriage being convalidated in the Church.
If a baptized person seeking to come into full communion with the Church is married to a Catholic and did not receive a dispensation from canonical form, they will need the marriage convalidated in the Church.
If you need to get an annulment, please contact Fr. Tangorra, as he works in the Tribunal of the Diocese of Paterson and can help you with this process.