Diocese of Venice

History

Founded in 1984, the Diocese of Venice in Florida (Latin: Dioecesis Venetiae in Florida) serves the Catholic Church in southwest Florida in the United States as a suffragan of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Miami.

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• Diocese of Venice hosts 40 Days for Life campaign

  The Diocese of Venice has launched its fall 40 Days for Life campaign, featuring peaceful prayer vigils at abortion facilities in Naples, Fort Myers, and Sarasota. The campaign runs daily from September 23 through November 1, 2026. A kickoff rally at the Fort Myers site drew about 60 people. Father Daniel Flens, a parochial vicar at St. Andrew Parish in Cape Coral, offered the opening prayer for the event. Paul Hellenbrand, who has led the Fort Myers campaign for more than a decade alongside her husband, Deacon Rick Hellenbrand, stated her hope that this will be the last year the group needs to hold the vigils. These local sites are part of a national effort involving 650 locations across the United States. Participants stand in vigil to pray for unborn children, their parents, and an end to abortion in Florida and the United States.

  Sep 25, 2026 · Life & Family

• Bishop Emilio E. Biosca begins longer visits to Catholic schools

  Bishop Emilio E. Biosca is conducting extended visits to Catholic schools within the Diocese of Venice to understand their history, current operations, and specific needs. During a Mass on Sept. 17, 2026, at the Zazarino Center, the bishop met with students, faculty, and parents from St. Mary Academy and St. Martha Catholic School. Bishop Biosca stated that these longer visits allow him to learn about the hopes and difficulties of the school communities. He intends to use this information to help the diocese strengthen Catholic schools in both their educational quality and their religious mission. While addressing the assembly, the bishop shared his personal background of attending Catholic schools in Virginia. He also recounted meeting Mother Teresa of Calcutta during his high school years, noting her message to students to love their neighbors.

  Sep 25, 2026 · Education

• Bishop Emilio presides over first confirmation as shepherd of Diocese of Venice

  Bishop Emilio E. Biosca, O.F.M. Cap., presided over his first confirmation ceremony as the leader of the Diocese of Venice on Sept. 19, 2026. The sacrament took place at Sacred Heart Parish in Punta Gorda. Bishop Emilio noted that while he had previously participated in confirmations as a priest, this was his first time performing the rite as a bishop. He described the sacrament as a day of great joy that allows the community to witness how candidates have come to know God. He told those in attendance that witnessing such rites can help people renew their own Christian lives. The bishop encouraged family members, friends, sponsors, catechists, and parishioners to support the newly confirmed as they continue their faith journey.

  Sep 25, 2026 · Dioceses

• Bishop Emilio commissions 2 dozen catechists

  Bishop Emilio E. Biosca, O.F.M. Cap., commissioned about two dozen catechists during a Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Venice on Sept. 20, 2026. The ceremony took place on Catechetical Sunday to recognize those who teach the faith in Catholic schools and parish religious education programs. Bishop Emilio stated that catechists help those seeking sacraments and religious education see how God works in their lives. He noted that the stories of catechumens and candidates reveal God's generosity and mercy. The Bishop offered a commissioning prayer asking for strength for the servants to dedicate themselves to their work and to share what they learn from studying Church teaching.

  Sep 25, 2026 · Education

• Diocese of Venice to hold Eucharistic Rosary Congress Oct. 3-9

  The Diocese of Venice will host a Eucharistic Rosary Congress from October 3 to October 9, 2026. Parishes throughout the diocese will hold events centered on the theme "My spirit rejoices in God my Savior." While specific schedules vary by location, most parishes will begin the event with daily Mass and conclude with Mass at the same time the following day. During this 24-hour period, parishes typically offer perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and pray five decades of the Rosary every hour. Many locations will also provide the Sacrament of Penance during the event. Jim Gontis, the diocesan director of evangelization, stated that the large amount of prayer offered through this effort will bring graces to families, the diocese, the universal Church, the nation, and the world. Parishioners can contact local churches or Jim Gontis for specific schedules.

  Sep 25, 2026 · Liturgy

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