The Saints, Engagement, Parenting with 
Johnny and Lorissa Horn

* The text below is a summary of the podcast above if you would like to hear the entire interview please watch the Youtube video or click the audio file! 

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Johnny and Lorissa, a couple whose story beautifully illustrates that miracles *do* happen. We discussed what it’s like to work and volunteer for the Church while raising holy children. Did I mention they have seven kids? Talk about role model status!

All jokes aside, Johnny and Lorissa have had such an impact on my own faith journey that I didn’t hesitate for a second to have them on the show first.

The Miracle Story

Yes, you heard that right—a legitimate miracle! Johnny met Lorissa while living at the discernment house. At the time, this house was set up as a sort of pre-seminary discerning house. After the end of a long relationship and much prayer, Johnny started looking into the seminary.

Part of the program required him to have a day job and participate in a ministry for the Church. Having worked in youth ministry in the past, he thought this would be the best fit. Fr. Hiro, at the time, agreed this would be a great fit for Johnny and arranged for him to meet the youth minister.

**Enter Lorissa stage right!**

Fr. Hiro set up a lunch meeting for the three of them. Once everyone was settled and had ordered, he left, leaving Johnny and Lorissa to have the entire lunch together—basically alone. Knowing that Johnny was in the house of discernment for the priesthood, although they liked each other well enough at first, there were no sparks.

Fast forward a few months, and Johnny started feeling unsatisfied with his discernment. He decided to get advice from his spiritual advisor on praying for his vocation. He asked if he could pray this prayer: "Lord, please reveal to me who my future spouse is, whether that be a woman or the Church."

Here’s where the miracle starts.

Johnny began praying a novena to St. Joseph, ending the prayer with the intention of St. Joseph showing him his future spouse. Boom. He opens his eyes, and there is Lorissa walking out the back steps of the church—right in front of him. Strange at the least, he doesn’t think anything of it.

This happened over and over during the novena. Curious if St. Joseph was trying to tell him something, he then found out that St. Therese, the Little Flower, sometimes intercedes for people and gives the sign of roses as confirmation. So, he started praying a novena to St. Therese, the Little Flower. On the last day, with his head in his hands, thinking how foolish this all was and that he should clear his mind for the seminary, he was disappointed that Therese didn’t give him a sign. Then, he remembered he first asked for red roses but switched halfway through to white roses and maybe confused her with his request. When...

The door opened, and a man walked in with a delivery of 12 white roses and 1 red rose in the middle.

Not trying to be rash, he told his spiritual director, who advised him to continue praying. Being close to Pentecost, he did another novena, this time to the Holy Spirit, asking to make this overwhelming to Lorissa if they were meant to pursue a relationship.

Partway through the 9 days, Lorissa called asking if they could pray together. 

Lorissa, on the other hand, had not fallen head over heels with Johnny but, slowly over the past few months working together, he checked off all of her boxes. “Why are you bringing this amazing man into my life just so I can watch him go to the seminary?” she asked God. Finally, she called.

They met for a hike, and after some awkward silence at the top of Table Rock, Johnny broke the silence and asked Lorissa if she noticed anything in the last few months. Sure enough, it was confirmed that they both felt called to pursue a relationship together.

There was one last thing: How was Johnny going to tell Fr. Hiro?

Going into the discernment house, and by a stroke of luck, no other seminarians were home. Johnny sat down and told him everything he had experienced over the last few months. Fr. Hiro's response was, “Johnny, I think you would be a fool not to listen to the advice of the saints.” Johnny said, “Fr., there is just one thing left: I have to tell you who it is.” “I already know,” Fr. Hiro replied.

He proceeded to tell Johnny that he had a vision of celebrating Lorissa and Johnny's wedding *before* Johnny even arrived at the discernment house.

The Power of Surrender: Insights from Lorissa and Johnny

Lorissa and Johnny’s vocation to marriage wasn’t without its challenges. Lorissa highlighted that the process of surrender and discernment is ongoing, revealing that it’s a lifelong practice. “Our whole lives are discernment. Our whole lives are opportunities of surrender,” Lorissa explained. They both acknowledged that even after choosing their vocation, life continues to present new opportunities and challenges that require further discernment and trust in God’s plan.

For Lorissa, the challenges of raising a large family have been intertwined with this ongoing practice of surrender. The couple’s decision to have more children, despite the difficulties and sacrifices involved, has been a testament to their trust in God. Lorissa shared that having their children close in age was challenging but ultimately a blessing. “Our kids are close and play with each other a lot, which has been really wonderful,” she said. Even their children with larger age gaps come together to help and support the smaller children.

Embracing God’s Plan: Practical Advice for Catholic Families

As Lorissa and Johnny’s story demonstrates, embracing God’s plan involves both surrender and active participation in discerning His will. For Catholic families, this means integrating faith into daily life and trusting in God’s guidance through both joyous and challenging times.

1. Build a Strong Foundation of Faith:** One of the key aspects of Johnny and Lorissa’s journey is the strong foundation of faith they built from the beginning. Engaging in regular prayer, celebrating the saints, and participating in the sacraments have been central to their family life. For other families, establishing a consistent practice of prayer and sacramental life can provide a solid foundation for navigating life’s challenges.

2. Foster Open Communication:** Lorissa and Johnny emphasized the importance of open and honest communication within the family. They shared that discussing difficult topics, especially those related to faith and culture, has been crucial in building trust and understanding with their children. Creating a space for dialogue allows family members to share their thoughts and concerns, fostering a deeper connection and mutual support.

3. Embrace the Blessings and Challenges of Family Life:** Johnny and Lorissa’s story underscores the beauty and difficulty of raising a large family. While it can be overwhelming, their experience shows that the blessings of a close-knit family far outweigh the challenges. Embracing the joys and struggles of family life with faith and gratitude allows families to grow together and deepen their relationship with God.

The Joy of Living Out One’s Vocation

Ultimately, Johnny and Lorissa’s story is a testament to the joy and fulfillment that comes from living out one’s vocation with faith and trust in God. Their journey reflects the power of surrender, the importance of prayer and the saints’ intercession, and the blessings of embracing God’s plan for their lives.

In their own words, “We are just trying and relying heavily on the grace of God, and we’re grateful for the blessings we have received.” Their story serves as a powerful reminder that, regardless of the challenges we face, God’s plan is always guiding us toward deeper fulfillment and joy.

For anyone navigating the complexities of faith, family, and discernment, Johnny and Lorissa’s journey offers valuable insights and encouragement. Embrace God’s plan with openness and trust, build a strong foundation of faith, and cherish the blessings and challenges of family life. Through it all, may we find inspiration and strength in the example of those who have walked this path before us, guided by the grace of God and the intercession of the saints.