What are the rules and guidelines for dating? Is there a specific amount of time the couple can spend together? Should they only see each other x times a week? And should the visits only last x amount of time?

Also, are they the same once the couple is engaged and has decided to marry?

I know dating is one thing, and being engaged is another, so actually my question is when someone is already engaged and has decided to marry.

Thanks.

I think it is important, to keep the couple from falling into sɛҳuąƖ sins including fornication, that there should be a chaperone so that the couple is not left together alone.

That's a given, of course, to not sin in any way.

But what if there is no chaperone? Are you not allowed to go anywhere alone then if you don't have one?

The times are totally different now and for many people the only chaperones you could get are pagans or novus ordos.

My question was more about the time the couple can see each other once they are engaged.

I just wanted to see if there was a manual or if anyone had said or something about how much time the couple could spend together and how many days a week they could see each other, or if this is just up to the parents to decide.

In public places or with other people, I don't believe their is a time limit, but it should probably be advised to avoid anything that could cause scandal. That said, it also depends on age to a small degree. Younger people who live with their parents are more likely in need of closer supervision, but lets say someone marries late, their parents are deceased, non-Catholic parents, etc. they usually end up being the main person responsible for keeping away from improper situations.

Normally, engaged couples tend to spend more time together, as much of preparing for a wedding and life afterwards requires collaboration and organization before the event. From what I have seen, it is not uncommon for engaged couples to go to mass and confession together, as well as participate in devotions and other pious practices in order to prepare for marriage and set the tone for the life they are about to spend together. It was probably much different in other times when marriages were arranged but, like you said, this is the world we live in.

Personally, I think they should spend a lot of time together and make sure they really know each other, including faults. If they haven't become acquainted with the family, this is also a good time to observe how the potential spouse treats their parents, it might be eye opening.

I don't think there's any reason to spend time completely alone.

No reason? What if the couple are the only Catholic ones and the entire family on both sides is apostate and non-Catholic? What if they themselves are the only Catholics they know of? What if there is no priest in the whole country and no Mass?

What if there is no priest in the whole country and no Mass?

If you have no access to Confession, its all the more reason to avoid situations which have commonly led others into sin.

What if the couple are the only Catholic ones and the entire family on both sides is apostate and non-Catholic? What if they themselves are the only Catholics they know of?

I don't see how this is a problem. An audience is to ensure that you don't fall into any sins of the flesh. The pagans at the public park don't have to sit and eat with you at your picnic table, but dining there rather than in an otherwise empty apartment (random example) promises that neither of you will be tempted to inappropriate behavior.

Our priest referred to the period of engagement as a "necessary evil".