Some love stories begin with certainty...
Jose and Anne’s began with hesitation, distance, and a second chance neither expected.
And yet, through prayer, persistence, and a willingness to trust God’s timing, their story unfolded into something deeply rooted in faith and unmistakably real.
Discerning Marriage Brought Them Both to CatholicMatch!
Jose wasn’t new to online dating, but he approached CatholicMatch differently.
After trying other apps, he recognized something distinct: people on CatholicMatch seemed more serious about their faith and their future. That mattered to him. He wasn’t looking for casual conversation. He was looking for a wife.
Anne arrived with even greater intentionality, but also more vulnerability.
After nearly three years of waiting on her annulment, she received her declaration of nullity on August 30, 2023. That moment didn’t just close a chapter—it reopened the possibility of her vocation.
The very next day, encouraged by friends and grounded in prayer, she created a CatholicMatch profile. She was looking for a Catholic husband and trusting God to guide the process.
Prayers Before Profiles...
Before either of them met, prayer was already shaping their journey.
In prayer, Jose asked for the intercession of St. Joan of Arc to help him find a wife. Anne attended daily Mass, prayed the Rosary, and sought guidance from St. Joseph and St. Michael.
Both were open to God’s will, even when it felt uncertain—and there was plenty of uncertainty. When they first connected, Anne wasn’t even sure she would be able to remain in the United States due to ongoing visa complications. Still, she chose to take a step forward.
“I was hesitant,” she admitted. “But I was hopeful God would show me signs.”
A Promising Start… And Then a Sudden Stop.
Jose was one of the first to message Anne after she joined the app.
Her first impression was that he was kind, respectful, and easy to talk to.
They connected quickly. Within days, their conversations felt natural and engaging.
But just three days in, everything changed.
Anne had to return from the United States to Brazil to resolve her visa situation. When it was denied, she assumed it was a sign that the relationship was not meant to be.
If she couldn’t stay, how could something real grow?
Overwhelmed and discouraged, and afraid to risk deeper attachment and possible heartbreak, she stepped away completely. She left the app abruptly, ending their communication.
Jose was left confused and hurt.
“I was hurt,” he said, honestly. He even thought about giving up on dating entirely.
God Gave Them A Second Chance.
Months later, Anne found herself in a different place spiritually.
Stripped of certainty, she leaned more deeply into prayer for understanding.
During a pilgrimage, she began to notice signs. She saw the name “Jose” while praying. Soon after, a nun told her she was close to “recognizing her Joseph.”
The message God was trying to send her was becoming clear.
That same day, she logged back into CatholicMatch for the first time, and noticed something unexpected. Jose had recently viewed her profile!
After hours of reflection, she sent a humble message:
“Hi, how are you? I’m so sorry.”
He replied immediately.
And just like that, their story resumed.
Building a Relationship Across The Distance...
This time, their relationship grew with greater clarity.
What started as a promising connection became a deliberate investment for them both.
They committed to daily video calls. Their conversations often lasted hours—sometimes up to eight!
“We never ran out of things to talk about,” Jose said. “That’s when I knew it was serious.”
Within a few weeks, they were officially dating.
Despite Jose living in the Southern U.S. and Anne in Brazil, their connection continued to deepen. On July 4th, 2024, they met in person for the first time at a pizzeria, surrounded by Anne’s family.
Faith Was Always at the Center!
Their bond strengthened not just through communication, but through shared spiritual practices.
Together, they prayed novenas regularly and attended Mass whenever they were in the same place. They consecrated themselves to Our Lady of Guadalupe as well. They also read Forever by Jackie and Bobby Angel, a six-week devotional for couples. which takes inspiration from Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body.
“Our relationship brought us closer to God,” Jose shared.
Anne saw it clearly too.
“God gave me multiple confirmations,” she said. “Through prayer, through friends, through everything.”
Choosing Love Through Sacrifice...
On November 10th, 2024 proposed to her at the beautiful Pipa beach. Anne promptly said yes and received a priestly blessing on her engagement ring.
She described their engagement as “a pure and holy moment.”
Yet, the life they had been hoping for still felt just out of reach.
Anne continued to face challenges in obtaining a U.S. visa. At the same time, she received approval for a postdoctoral fellowship she had applied for months before they met. To accept the position, she would need to move to São Paulo, Brazil for at least two years.
It could have ended there.
Instead, Jose made a decision that defined their relationship.
He moved to Brazil.
“Living abroad wasn’t hard for me,” he said. “We both were willing to make sacrifices for love.”
Their willingness to choose each other despite uncertainty—became a foundation for their marriage.
From Long Distance to Lifelong Commitment!
On November 1, 2025, Jose and Anne were married in São Paulo.
Despite unexpected challenges on their wedding day, Anne remembers the sense of peace she felt when she saw Jose waiting for her at the end of the aisle.
“As soon as I saw him at the altar, all my anxieties went away.”
Now, they are building their life together in Brazil, with plans to eventually return to Arizona in the next few years.
They look forward to raising a family, serving the Church, and continuing to grow in faith together.
Their Advice: Persevere Through Christ.
Jose and Anne’s relationship has been shaped by perseverance rooted in faith, humility, and sacrifice. From Anne’s honest reflection and humble apology that reopened the door, to Jose’s willingness to move across the world to be with her, each step reflected a deeper trust in God’s plan. Even through setbacks, they remained open, allowing Him to guide what they could not control.
For Catholic singles still looking for their spouse, Jose offers this simple advice:
“Never give up. Don’t be afraid of long-distance. We all have to make sacrifices for love.”
Anne offers a deeper spiritual perspective:
“If your vocation is marriage, God has someone for you. Pray, trust, and strive for holiness.”
