After an uneventful year on CatholicMatch, Jennifer thought she was done with online dating. But God had other plans.
She hadn’t been using her subscription to actively meet anyone, and recently came to terms that if her role in this world was to only love God, then she was okay with that.
“My life was happy, I knew that no human love can compare to the divine love that God has for me, but if there was someone, I trusted God to lead me to him.”
When canceling her subscription, however, she realized she could access her account for a few more days—through the end of her payment period.
Before logging off for what she thought was the last time, Jennifer received a message from a man named Michael. Holding fast to her resolve to end her subscription, she brushed it aside and signed off.
An hour later, Jennifer found herself feeling terrible for not being kind and at least acknowledging his message. So, she logged back on to look through his profile.
Intrigued by what she saw, she messaged back.
Before Jennifer knew it, the following week was full of back and forth messages between her and Michael (with thanks to her canceled subscription lasting through the end of the pay period)!
“I had the feeling that I was not the only one enjoying it because he responded almost as immediately as I did.”
For Michael, a retired US Marine, it took a leap of faith.
A widower who recently lost his wife to cancer, Michael had been discerning a call to religious life or some other type of service. Yet one night, he felt pulled to sign up for CatholicMatch.
“So many things regarding faith require us to just let go, have faith, be obedient, and say yes. Therefore, I took the leap of faith.”
Only considering women whose profiles were “matched” to his, Michael resolved to first read through the profiles before browsing any photos.
If he was being called to marry again, Michael knew he wanted a best friend and partner with the faith and fortitude "to step into the breach" with him as his equal. From her profile, Jennifer seemed like just that.
Deciding she was a good match, he finally looked through her photos. “She was stunning,” Michael remarks.
A hurricane, a candle, and a shared plate of food made their first date unforgettable.
One weekend, Michael drove from Corpus Christi to San Juan, TX to take Jennifer out on their first and second dates.
They decided to “keep it casual” for their first meeting since Michael came straight from helping community members whose homes were destroyed by Hurricane Harvey. This was somewhat intentional since he wanted Jennifer to see him as he usually is: in a state of serving others. Not having any time to freshen up when he got to the hotel, however, Michael felt quite relieved that Jennifer didn’t drive off after seeing his grungy first appearance!
The two started their date at the Basilica de San Juan del Valle, where they established a foundation of faith by lighting a candle for their relationship. Next came dinner at a Mexican restaurant, where the two not only shared a meal but the same plate of food!
“What caught my attention was how comfortable I felt being in her presence...as if we had been together for years already,” says Michael.
Miraculous signs confirmed God’s hand in their relationship, even amid difficulties.
As their relationship progressed, Michael and Jennifer experienced the gentle guidance of Divine Providence.
On Jennifer's birthday, Michael planned a hike to the top of Mount Christo Rey. As they set off on the hike, Jennifer seemed doubtful due to the desolate location of the trailhead. Michael assured her that it would be alright.
When they rounded the corner and gazed up at the summit, they were amazed by the sight of a glorious rainbow shooting out from the crucifix. “God was telling us that it was indeed alright,” says Michael. This was one of many instances where God taught the couple to trust one another and His timing.
Michael also met some skepticism from others—including Jennifer—about whether he was ready to date so soon after the death of his late wife. But after some more signs from Heaven, Michael reassured Jennifer that he indeed felt God’s hand guiding them together.
Before considering engagement, Michael knew he needed the blessing of his three adult children. To his pleasant surprise, his children quickly embraced his relationship with Jennifer, not only accepting her but loving her. “They saw my sense of peace and joy,” Michael remarks.
A four-story mosaic of Jesus and Mary provided the setting for the proposal.
“What better place to ask for her hand in Holy Matrimony than in front of the eyes of our Lord and our Blessed Mother.”
On the back steps of the Basilica de San Juan del Valle, the original scene of their first date, stands a beautiful mosaic of Jesus and Mary. Michael chose this spot to propose to Jennifer. Then, on their wedding day, November 17, 2018, they took their wedding pictures under that same mosaic.
The couple chose a small, modest wedding, with the Mass celebrated in English, Spanish, and Latin. Since it was so close to Thanksgiving, Jennifer and Michael asked their guests to bring food donations for poor families in their community, in lieu of gifts for the couple.
Following the wedding, Michael and Jennifer went on a honeymoon and pilgrimage to Greece, Italy, Spain, Israel, and Palestine. Together they visited the four major basilicas of Rome, the Holy Land, some Marian apparition sites, and many other holy places.
This beautiful honeymoon and pilgrimage to begin their marriage now sets the stage for a lifetime of travel, faith, and love for Michael and Jennifer.
