SacredSpark Aims to Reinvent Catholic Dating

SacredSpark, a new Catholic dating and matchmaking platform co-founded by Emily Wilson-Hussem and Daniel Hussem, intends to reshape how young Catholics date online. Driven by the idea that many faith-centered singles struggle to connect meaningfully, the app seeks to blend tradition, intentionality, and technology in hopes of forming lasting relationships – and is planned to launch some time this month in the United States.

The inspiration for SacredSpark traces back to Wilson-Hussem’s Instagram matchmaking posts, where she called on Catholic singles to submit their names and locations to be connected. These posts led to dozens of relationships, including 11 marriages, 20 engagements, hundreds of dating couples, and even a baby, according to SacredSpark’s press materials. These early successes helped illustrate a clear demand for more authentic connection spaces beyond mainstream dating apps.

SacredSpark operates differently from most dating apps by unlocking access diocese by diocese based on local momentum. Users are encouraged to join a waitlist, and once enough singles in a given diocese sign up, that region becomes active for new users. Another notable feature is matchmaker invites: users can invite trusted friends or family to act as a “matchmaker” on their behalf within the app.

Key design features aim to reduce superficial matching. Profile pictures are initially blurred and only revealed when both users have matched. The app deprioritizes filters based on physical traits such as height, hair color, or eye color, stressing instead faith, values, and personality. Users can record audio introductions as part of their profile to give prospective matches insight into their character rather than appearance.