Former Priest and Nun Unite in Marriage After Leaving Religious Life

A Brazilian couple, Lais and Jackson Dognini, recently celebrated their marriage after both left their respective religious vocations as a nun and a priest. The couple’s journey from monasticism to matrimony has garnered attention, highlighting the transformative nature of their personal lives.

A Unique Love Story

Lais and Jackson first crossed paths six years ago while living in religious communities, according to reports from O Globo. Lais, who spent two years in a Carmelite convent, departed to address her depression, a pivotal decision that would later lead to their romantic connection. Jackson, on his part, had entered the seminary with the intention of becoming a priest.

The couple reconnected when Jackson sent Lais a message of prayer as he was preparing to leave the seminary. While they maintained a distance during their respective religious commitments, this message sparked a renewed bond between them. They began communicating frequently, despite Jackson’s ongoing studies, believing Lais would return to the convent.

In March 2025, they officially tied the knot, a milestone Lais announced on Instagram in September of the same year. “He wanted to be a priest and went to the seminary, I wanted to be a religious (I don’t use the word nun because I think it’s ugly) and I went to the convent,” she shared, reflecting on their pasts.

An Unexpected Reunion

Their relationship took a significant turn during their first in-person meeting, which involved attending mass, dining out, and watching a movie together. Notably, Jackson had planned to propose that day, coinciding with the feast of St. Therese. By April 2024, they had begun dating, becoming engaged later that year in October and ultimately marrying just five months later.

Lais emphasized that their decisions to leave their religious lives were independent of their budding relationship. “I had already left the convent three years ago, he had already left the seminary by discernment of the vocation,” she clarified. “We had no contact; we even lived in different states. It was only after that that we started to relate, so there were no scandals.”

The couple’s story resonates with those who appreciate tales of love transcending former commitments. Their journey illustrates not only the evolution of personal identity but also the unexpected paths that life can take.