Hi Chris,

Catholics have to marry according to form and for good reasons. This posting explains it pretty well:

• Would the Church bless a (Catholic|Non-Christian) marriage and can a priest officiate outdoors?

This posting will explain why marrying in a non-denomination congregation is not a good idea:

• Can a Protestant who affirms the words of Jesus in Scripture receive Holy Communion?

You said:
My fiancé and I are both baptized Catholics. I am 26 and have not had my First Holy Communion.

• Will I have to take classes to receive my First Communion before we can get married?

We just started going to church again. I have never gone steady in my whole life and I do not know if I am a true Catholic, or not. To be honest, I do not know much about religion.

Sure you are a true Catholic and believe me, very few of us were catechized well in CCD!

I may be wrong but I don't believe receiving your First Holy Communion is required to get married in the Church but based on what you have said, I would highly recommend getting a low cost Catechism of the Catholic Church and, though not required, if possible, sitting in on some RCIA classes.

If you have to take classes to receive your First Holy Communion and get married, you can work that out with your local pastor. Fr. Jonathan may have more to add.

Mike

Hi, Chris —

Fr. Jonathan sent me the following reply:

Mike, Her category is Baptized uncatechized. Just using those words will help her instantly explain herself. Most parishes encourage that type of person to prepare in some way for First Holy Communion, but at the same time she should prepare for First Confession and Confirmation. That is why the best place for her is usually the RCIA program. In the meantime, she doesn't have to wait for these classes to get married. If neither one of them have been previously married the encouraged route should be that she prepare to receive the Sacraments during the Easter season and then after they get married in the Church receive them, however, she could do it out of order and get married now with the founded hope that she will continue forward, prepare, and receive First Confession, Communion, and Confirmation later. She and her fiancé should work with their parish priest. Fr. Jonathan

Mike