From disappointment to hope: the mission of a woman to join Catholics in marriage

At 45, Patty Montagno thought that he would be married and would have children, but his learning trip about “how to trust God during this process” led her to found a new Catholic Pareja Search service Cana Connections.

Inspired by the evangelical history of Cana’s weddings and based on the Dominican principle of the “veritas“, Or truth, the Ministry” embraces God’s vision for marriage as a sacred pact “and offers a” intentional and prayer “couple search process,” Montagno explained.

Born in Manhattan, New York (United States), has always been considered endowed to connect people, and not only romantically. He told CNA – an English agency of Ewtn News – that he has moved a lot throughout his life and that in each place where he has been managed to form communities. When he heard a homily from the popular priest and podcaster Mike Schmitz, in which he talked about looking for a job in which one is excellent, not for oneself but for others, took it as a sign.

“That homily helped me overcome my fear of doing something; although I have not been successful in love in my own way, that does not mean that I cannot help other people,” he shared.

Montagno described Cana Connections as “a more traditional, ancient pairing.”

Users first create a free member profile, which includes answering 50 questions designed for Montagno to obtain a deeper understanding of the background, preferences, values, path of faith and hope for the future of each person.

“I leave these questions deliberately open because it gives the person the opportunity to really tell their history and gives me a better idea of ​​who he is and what he is looking for,” he explained.

Once Montagno identifies a possible couple, they get in touch with both individuals to inform them and share a summary of the other person’s profile and his photo. If both agree to meet, Montagno facilitates the exchange of information. He also pointed out that a criminal record verification is made to each individual and that she carries out a virtual interview to ensure that people are the ones to be.

Montagno shared that, when reviewing the profiles he has received, his eyes are filled with tears because he can “listen to desire and pain, but I also see the beautiful desire of this sacred love.”

“And that gives me a lot of hope, that there are people out there who value love in the way God thought. That exists. And now I am seeing it from a different perspective,” he added.

For those who still expect to find their partner, Montagno said that this waiting time is “a great opportunity to deepen your relationship with God, either reading the Scriptures or whatever it works for you.”

When asked what their expectations are for Cana Connections, he shared that it is “that instrument to help Catholics find a spouse that helps them grow in holiness and that it is a relationship in which they both walk together towards heaven and become the people that God created them to be”.

“And that is our mission,” he said. “And my vision is that we will transform the world through these holy families, ensuring that the truth and love of God continue to shape future generations.”

“I am really excited to see how God uses both my gifts and my pain for a purpose that is bigger than myself.”

Translated and adapted by the ACI Press team. Originally published in CNA.