Brazilian Couple Exits Religious Life, Celebrates Marriage

A Brazilian couple, Jackson and Lais Dognini, recently celebrated their marriage after both transitioned away from their roles in the Catholic Church as a priest and a nun. Their unique journey began six years ago when they first met while living in monastic environments. Their story highlights themes of personal growth and love found outside traditional paths.

Lais Dognini shared their relationship’s progression on Instagram, revealing the couple wed in March 2025. Reflecting on their past, she stated, “He wanted to be a priest and went to the seminary, I wanted to be a religious… and I went to the convent.” Lais spent two years in a Carmelite convent before leaving to address her mental health, a decision that ultimately led her back to Jackson.

During their time in religious life, the couple maintained limited contact. Their connection deepened when Jackson sent Lais a farewell message of prayer. At the time, he was still studying in seminary, believing Lais would return to the convent. After both left their respective religious vocations, they began to communicate more frequently.

Their first outing as a couple took place on St. Therese’s Day, where they attended mass, dined together, and went to the movies. Lais recounted that Jackson intended to propose to her during this outing, although she was unaware of his plans at the time. By April 2024, they officially began dating, became engaged by October 2024, and tied the knot in March 2025.

Lais emphasized that their decision to leave their religious roles was not made with the intent to be together. “I had already left the convent three years ago; he had already left the seminary by discernment of the vocation. We had no contact; we even lived in different states,” she explained. This clarification was important to the couple, as they wanted to ensure there were no misconceptions regarding their separation from religious life.

Their story resonates with many who seek love and fulfillment outside conventional boundaries. It serves as a reminder that personal happiness can often arise from unexpected circumstances, leading individuals to paths they may never have considered.