Brazilian Couple Exits Clergy, Celebrates Marriage After Finding Love

A Brazilian couple, Jackson and Lais Dognini, has made headlines after transitioning from their religious lives as a priest and a nun to marriage. The couple, who originally met six years ago while living in religious communities, recently tied the knot in March 2025. Lais shared their journey on Instagram, celebrating their relationship that blossomed in the secular world.

Lais and Jackson’s paths crossed during their years of commitment to the Catholic Church. Lais described her background, stating, “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 spent two years in a Carmelite convent before leaving to address her battle with depression, a decision that ultimately led to their romantic connection.

From Religious Life to Romantic Union

Their true connection began when Jackson sent Lais a message of prayer as he was preparing to leave the seminary. Although he believed Lais would soon return to her life in the convent, they began to communicate frequently. As Jackson departed from his theological training, their bond deepened, leading them to arrange an in-person meeting.

Recalling their first outing, Lais noted, “Our first meeting was to go to mass together, go out to dinner and then go to the movies. That day, he was going to ask me to marry him, and I didn’t know anything. It was St Therese’s day.” Their relationship progressed rapidly, and by April 2024, they were a couple. They became engaged by October 2024 and married just a few months later.

Lais emphasized that their choices to leave their religious vocations were not driven by their desire to be together. She clarified that they had been apart for years before rekindling their relationship. “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.

A New Beginning

Their story reflects a journey of personal growth and transformation, illustrating how paths can diverge and reconnect in unexpected ways. The couple’s decision to marry signifies a new chapter in their lives, one filled with hope and mutual understanding.

In her Instagram post, Lais remarked on the significance of their relationship, stating, “It seems little, right? But let’s face it, we are already adults, and we know what we want from life.” The Dogninis’ story serves as a reminder that love can flourish even after profound life changes, and their union is a celebration of their resilience and commitment to one another.