St Joseph, St Raphael, St Anne and Kerala's own saints: who Catholics have long asked to pray for them while searching for a spouse, and a simple prayer drawn from the Book of Tobit.
Searching for a husband or wife can feel like a project to be managed: filters, shortlists, phone calls. For Catholics it is also a matter for prayer, and the Church has a long tradition of saints people ask to pray for them during that search. None of them is a charm. They are companions who have walked the road before.
St Raphael the Archangel
The Book of Tobit tells how the angel Raphael guided young Tobias on a long journey that ended in his marriage to Sarah. For that reason Raphael is often called the patron of happy meetings, and of those looking for a spouse. On their wedding night Tobias and Sarah prayed together (Tobit 8:5–8), and that prayer is still read at Catholic weddings today.
St Joseph
The husband of Mary, a faithful and quiet protector of his family. Many Kerala Catholic homes keep a picture of the Holy Family, and families pray to St Joseph for a good and steady husband for their daughters, and for sons to grow into the kind of husband he was.
St Anne
The mother of Mary and grandmother of Jesus. Devotion to St Anne is old and strong in Kerala, and she is traditionally asked to pray for those hoping to marry and to raise a family.
Kerala's own saints
- St Kuriakose Elias Chavara wrote the Chavarul, a letter of advice to Christian families that is still read in Kerala parishes. He described a good family as a foretaste of heaven.
- St Mariam Thresia founded the Congregation of the Holy Family and spent her life visiting and caring for families in difficulty.
You can read more about them on our page of Saints of Kerala and India.
Saints Louis and Zélie Martin
The parents of St Thérèse of Lisieux were canonised together in 2015, the first married couple to be canonised as a couple. They are a reminder that marriage itself is a path to holiness, not a distraction from it.
A simple prayer while searching
Lord, you know the person I am to marry better than I do. Guide our families as Raphael guided Tobias. Give me patience while I wait, honesty in what I say about myself, and the wisdom to recognise a good heart when I meet one. St Joseph and St Anne, pray for us. Amen.
Prayer and practical effort go together. A complete, honest profile is a good way to let your prayer meet the world halfway. Register free and our team will review your profile before it goes live. For a couple already engaged, see praying together as a couple before marriage.