They Were a 500 Mile Train Ride Apart
15
Living in Edinburg, Scotland, 28-year-old Sam spent two years discerning a call to the priesthood. When Sam found that this was not God's will, he turned his attention to his career. In August 2022, after securing a promotion at work, he felt ready to find a spouse. Sam says, “I knew men who had found women in the states on CatholicMatch.” With a secular and largely Protestant culture in Edinburg, Sam decided to give CatholicMatch a try.
And, it paid off...
Living in London, 25-year-old Joanne had spent 10 months in a convent discerning a religious vocation. When God called her to life outside the convent, Joanne began looking for employment. She volunteered with a pro-life group who offered her a job. Joanne recalls CatholicMatch kept coming up in conversations with others. She heard of "lovely, young, normal couples" who had found success on CatholicMatch so she decided to join, too.
Joanne had just joined CatholicMatch when she was attracted to Sam's profile.
She shares, “His profile was genuine. Sam had pictures and he was good-looking! He loved the Latin Mass and was a dedicated music director.” After seeing his profile, Joanne upgraded to a premium account so they could actually have a conversation.
Joanne sent a message to Sam and they connected on October 12th, 2022. “Joanne and I come from two very different backgrounds,” Sam says, “I am a cradle Catholic from China whereas Joanne is a London born, Indian cradle Catholic. However, we soon realized that we had many things in common.”
They both discerned vocations, loved the Latin Mass, were active in the pro-life movement, and Opus Dei. Sam shares, “It seemed that God had brought two people together at just the right stage in their lives to begin discerning a life together.”
After talking for two weeks, they planned to meet in York, half-way between Edinburg and London.
Things were proceeding smoothly until Joanne got sick two days before their meeting. Joanne decided to travel anyway. She shares, “Part of me saw this as a sign that this was an opportunity that may not come again.”
In late October, on the Saturday before the feast of Christ the King, they met for Mass at the York Oratory. Sam notes that, "Joanne was even prettier than her picture."
Over afternoon tea, they got to know each other more and discussed their expectations in life. The date went well and the couple continued their courtship.
When they couldn't meet in person, they met over video and phone calls.
Joanne recalls, “I would drill Sam with questions.” The couple believes their openness and honesty was a crucial part of their success.
Joanne's new job sent her to Edinburg which provided for more frequent meetings without financial strain. Though the 500-mile distance was a challenge, they believe it also helped as it provided time to reflect on their relationship.
During Joanne's first trip to Edinburg, she got food poisoning at her hotel. When she didn't have the energy to do planned activities, Sam helped her during her illness. The next day, Sam got food poisoning. Sam recalls, "It happened that through our sicknesses, I fell in love with her and decided she was the one I wanted to marry."
Joanne says, “Sam is very chilled out, steady, constant, not dramatic with many good qualities. He is kind, generous, and affectionate.”
Their differences balance them.
Sam says, “Joanne is energetic and pushes me to try new things like taking off my shoes at the beach.”
Joanne reflects, “I may have been fearful on another platform. It is easy to tell who is genuine on CatholicMatch. We were prudent to take steps and safeguards.”
On January 28th, 2023, with the approval of Joanne's spiritual father, Sam surprised Joanne with a marriage proposal inside York Oratory, where they had first met.
On February 14th, they had their engagement blessed in a special betrothal ceremony.
Sam says, “Since we were both sure in our discernment of each other, we wished to marry as soon as possible.” Both their families, but especially Joanne's family, was apprehensive about Joanne becoming engaged to a man she had only known for four months, and this conflict was challenging during their engagement.
With priests encouraging Sam and Joanne to move forward, they forged ahead with their wedding plans.
And, Joanne's family eventually came to know and love Sam.
On August 12th, 2023, exactly 10 months after meeting on CatholicMatch, they were married in Edinburg in a Nuptial Latin Mass.
As thanksgiving to God, they added Benediction to the ceremony.
Sam encouraged Joanne to honor her Indian culture. At their reception, they wore exquisite Indian attire.
And, after spending their honeymoon in the south of France, they returned to find they are expecting a baby girl!