5 Catholic Saints Who Teach Us About Love + Marriage
- elizabethstewartphoto
- May 4
- 3 min read
When you're planning your wedding — especially a sacramental, faith-filled celebration — it's comforting to know you're not walking this journey alone. The saints have gone before us, and many of them lived out love in the most holy (and sometimes unexpected) ways.
As a Catholic wedding photographer, I often think about how marriage is more than a beautiful day — it's a vocation, a path to sainthood. So today, I’m sharing 5 of my favorite Catholic love saints who inspire my couples (and me!) in the way they lived out love, self-gift, and faith.
1. Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin
Patron saints of married couples & parents
These two were a powerhouse couple — not just in love with each other, but with Christ. They were parents to St. Thérèse of Lisieux, and their marriage was grounded in prayer, daily Mass, and trust in God.
Why I love them: They’re the first married couple canonized together — a reminder that holiness starts in the home.
Modern takeaway: You don’t need a perfect love story — just one rooted in faith, self-sacrifice, and trust.
2. St. Joseph
Patron saint of husbands, fathers, and protectors
The quiet strength of Joseph’s love for Mary and Jesus is one of the most powerful examples of fatherhood and masculine virtue. He loved selflessly, protected faithfully, and led quietly.
Why I love him: He’s the model of a husband who listens to God and acts with love, even in uncertainty.
Modern takeaway: Strong love is often silent, faithful, and sacrificial.
3. St. Gianna Beretta Molla
Patron saint of wives, mothers, and pro-life causes
A 20th-century saint, Gianna was a physician, mother, and wife who courageously chose life for her unborn child, even at great personal risk. Her letters to her husband Pietro are filled with joy, warmth, and deep affection.
Why I love her: Her love story shows the dignity of womanhood, motherhood, and holy marriage.
Modern takeaway: Love often looks like laying down your life — and doing it joyfully.
4. St. Valentine
Patron saint of engaged couples & happy marriages
Yes — that Valentine. He was a Roman priest who secretly married Christian couples during a time of persecution. He stood for the sacrament of marriage when it was risky to do so.
Why I love him: He reminds us that marriage is worth protecting — even when the world doesn’t understand it.
Modern takeaway: Marriage is a bold witness of God’s love in the world.
5. Mary & Jesus – The Ultimate Model of Love
While not a “couple” in the traditional sense, the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary show us the fullness of perfect, sacrificial love.
Why I love them: Their hearts beat with mercy, grace, and fierce love — and Catholic marriage is meant to reflect that.
Modern takeaway: When you love like Christ and Mary, you invite heaven into your relationship.
Bring the Saints Into Your Engagement + Wedding
Here are a few fun ways to incorporate your favorite saints into your celebration:
Choose one as your patron couple and pray a novena leading up to your wedding day.
Include saint medals in your bouquet or boutonnière.
Add a quote to your program or reception signage.
Ask for their intercession in your wedding prep or honeymoon!
Capturing Love That Reflects the Divine
As a Catholic wedding photographer in Buffalo and the Twin Cities, I love telling love stories that aren’t just about emotion — but about faith, mission, and heaven. If that sounds like your kind of wedding, I’d love to serve you.
Now booking 2025 Catholic weddings in Minnesota! (Inquire here)
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