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“Do not be afraid to love”: Karen and Dustin, a love story built day by day
She is Brazilian; he is German. They met while Karen was learning the language and discovered that they shared a desire to start a family. On October 7, they were able to greet Pope Leo XIV and take part in presenting YOUCAT Love Forever to him.
A year earlier, during the Jubilee in Rome, Karen and Dustin had seen newlyweds greeting the Pope at an audience. They looked at each other and said, “Soon we’ll be up there.” What had seemed like a wish came true on October 7, 2026: they were able to greet Leo XIV in person and take part in presenting YOUCAT Love Forever to him.
“After our wedding day, this is without doubt the day we will never forget,” they say. In his foreword, Leo XIV reminds us that true love is not a passing feeling, but “a resounding Yes to the other, a decision, a path, and a lifelong covenant.” He also encourages young people not to be afraid of the depths of this love.
- What does it mean that marriage is an image of Christ and his love for us?
- How do we make good decisions in marriage?
- How do we recognize our joint calling? And how do we live it?
What does it mean that marriage is an image of Christ and his love for us?
This is the question YOUCAT Miłość na zawsze asks on page 143. The book explains that, through the sacrament, spouses can experience something of God’s love in each other’s love. This is not a perfect love without difficulties, but a faithful gift of self renewed each day.
Karen and Dustin met in 2024 through conversation apps she was using to practice German. When they discovered that they lived in the same area, they decided to meet in person. From the beginning, they shared a desire to start a family.
Their cultural differences meant learning to understand each other. Language barriers could lead to misunderstandings. “Patience, dialogue, and empathy are more than necessary in a multicultural relationship,” they explain.
A difficult test came when Karen’s work permit was denied and she faced the possibility of returning to Brazil. They received help from people who tried to guide them and, amid the uncertainty, prayed a novena to Saint Joseph. Near the end of the novena, she received a four-month extension. During that time, both found new jobs, and she obtained the visa she needed.
“As a couple, we learned the beauty of the intercession of the saints, of divine providence, and of trusting God even when nothing seems to make sense,” they recall.
How do we make good decisions in marriage?
On page 223, the book encourages couples not to rush into important decisions. It suggests seeking silence, asking God for the gift of discernment, sharing their thoughts in love, and listening to his voice to find together the peace they need.
Karen and Dustin talk about their hopes, listen to each other, and then try to discern. Their decision to marry grew out of dialogue, prayer, and the support of the Christian community accompanying them.
They also experienced this when new job opportunities meant changing careers. They prayed and talked to discover whether this path was good for both of them and brought them closer to what God wanted. Later, they realized that it would allow them to rent their first apartment as a family.
On pages 224–225, YOUCAT Miłość na zawsze offers criteria for distinguishing the Spirit of God from the Spirit of Deception. The former brings freedom, joy, and peace, helps us grow, and leads us to Jesus. The latter creates fear, confusion, and discouragement, puts pressure on us, and draws us away from what matters. This does not mean that every fear is a sign of deception: it is about recognizing what inspires our decisions and where it leads us.
How do we recognize our joint calling? And how do we live it?
On page 226, YOUCAT Miłość na zawsze presents marriage as a shared vocation: a call from God to love and build a life together. Through their spouse, each is called to discover the patience, tenderness, humor, and faithfulness of God’s love. This calling takes shape in the daily gift of self.
Karen and Dustin believe the book can be especially helpful to couples living in places without family pastoral support, who have to navigate marriage preparation almost alone. They value the Church’s offer of a path that responds to engaged couples’ questions, including those they had not yet thought to ask.
What would they say to young people who want to marry but feel afraid of a lifelong commitment? “Fear will always be there, because we are human,” they acknowledge. Still, they believe it should not paralyze us or keep us from following God’s will.
Their advice comes from experience: pray while dating, while engaged, and especially as spouses; listen to each other, forgive each other, and remember the promises made at the altar. They invite us to look to Jesus and the saints, who chose love even in suffering.
Their story reminds us that loving does not mean having no fear or knowing all the answers in advance. It means learning to trust, discern, and choose each other every day. As they themselves say, living together in love is far more beautiful than remaining paralyzed by fear.
Would you like to discover how to grow in trust and make good decisions as a couple? In YOUCAT Miłość na zawsze, you’ll find ideas on marriage, prayer, and your shared journey with God. Read on and discover how to listen to each other more closely, face your fears, and renew your “yes” to one another every day.
Photo supplied by Karen and Dustin; AI-assisted color treatment: YOUCAT Foundation.
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