Does an existing marriage need to be validated (blessed) in the Catholic Church prior to receving the Easter Sacraments?
Yes. A person cannot enter into the full sacramental life of the Catholic Church unless one is completely free to receive the sacraments. Convalidation of an irregular marriage (performed outside the Catholic Church) of a catechumen or a candidate should be completed before the sacraments of initiation are celebrated at the Easter Vigil. Once a person has become a catechumen (the result of celebrating the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens), that person is a member of the household of faith and has certain rights in the Church. Among them is the right to be married according to the Catholic Rite of Marriage. It is advisable to convalidate the marriage as early in the RCIA process as possible. (For more information see the Diocese of Metuchen – Liturgical and Canonical Statues for the RCIA).
