Over 320 Catholic Days at the Capitol (CDAC) pilgrims from all seven dioceses in Florida could be found in Tallahassee on February 6-7, advocating at the Capitol and attending the 49th Annual Red Mass of the Holy Spirit.
At the CDAC breakfast on Wednesday, the Florida Bishops presented Representative Jenna Persons-Mulicka with the Defensor Vitae Award and the Florida Council of Catholic Women with the Thomas A. Horkan Jr., Distinguished Catholic Leader Award.
After spending the day at the Capitol on Wednesday, a congregation wearing red filled the pews of the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More that evening. Florida's bishops have celebrated the Red Mass tradition in Tallahassee for nearly five decades, inviting the Holy Spirit to guide our state leaders in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. Public officials who attended included Governor Ron DeSantis, legislators, justices, and judges.
At a breakfast held March 8, 2023, Florida’s Catholic bishops presented two recipients with the Thomas A. Horkan, Jr. Distinguished Catholic Leader Award. The event was attended by all eight Catholic bishops of Florida and nearly 300 Catholic faithful from across the state who were in Tallahassee to participate in Catholic Days at the Capitol.
More than 300 Catholic faithful from all seven dioceses in Florida and all eight bishops were present in Tallahassee for Catholic Days at the Capitol, March 7-8. The event is an opportunity for participants to meet with their elected officials and use their voice as constituents and faithful Catholics to advocate for several key legislative issues.
Catholics from across Florida converged in Tallahassee from February 1-2 to attend Catholic Days at the Capitol. The event began on Tuesday afternoon with a briefing for participants to learn the details of four initiatives currently being considered by the Florida legislature. Early Wednesday morning, bishops and lawmakers joined Catholic Days pilgrims for an awards breakfast. At the breakfast Senators Jeff Brandes and Debbie Mayfield were honored with Defensor Dignitatis (Defender of Dignity) Awards in grateful appreciation for their efforts to protect human dignity.
At the invitation of Representative Chip LaMarca, Fr. Ryan Saunders offered the opening prayer for the House Session on Wednesday. Fr. Saunders, Parochial Vicar of Epiphany Catholic Church in Miami, was in Tallahassee for Catholic Days at the Capitol and the Red Mass.
On February 2-3, faithful citizens from across Florida connected online to participate in a virtual Catholic Days at the Capitol. Michael Sheedy, FCCB executive director, called the proceedings to order, which included a briefing on key legislative proposals, an interactive Q and A, diocesan breakout sessions, and the presentation of the Defensor Vitae award to Rep. Erin Grall. There were also opportunities to join in prayer, including a rosary led by the bishops of Florida and the Red Mass of the Holy Spirit.
The Most Reverend William A. Wack, CSC, bishop of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, celebrated the 46th Annual Red Mass of the Holy Spirit on February 3, 2021 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Tallahassee.
The bishops are deeply appreciative of the service rendered by all members of the legislature, and they recognize special and notable achievements in the public square. This year, they are pleased to present the Defensor Vitae / Defender of Life Award to The Honorable Erin Grall, Florida House of Representatives, District 54, Vero Beach.
From across Florida, bishops of the dioceses in the Province of Miami prayed the glorious mysteries of the rosary on Wednesday, February 3, on the feast of St. Blaise, during Catholic Days at the Capitol.
Tallahassee, FL (February 4, 2021) – While deeply appreciative of the service rendered by all members of the legislature, the bishops of Florida recognize special and notable achievements in the public square. This year, they are pleased to present the Defensor Vitae / Defender of Life Award to The Honorable Erin Grall, Florida House of Representatives, District 54, Vero Beach.
To ensure the health and safety of participants in light of the coronavirus, the 2021 Catholic Days at the Capitol will be a virtual event. Previous attendees as well as those who have not been able to join Catholics in Tallahassee for this annual event are urged to take this opportunity to participate virtually this coming year. During these unprecedented times, through innovation and technology, Catholics can continue to bring their values and voices to political life to promote and protect human life and dignity.
On January 28 ans 29, Catholics from across the seven dioceses in Florida gathered with their bishops in Tallahassee to participate in Catholic Days at the Capitol. Over the two days, participants attended a legislative briefing, met with elected officials and/or their staff, observed lawmaking in action, posed for group photos with their bishops, and enjoyed a breakfast and award presentation. The Red Mass, concelebrated by the eight bishops of Florida, concluded the activities.
On the evening of January 29, Catholic Days at the Capitol came to its official conclusion with the 45th Annual Red Mass of the Holy Spirit. All eight bishops of Florida were present to concelebrate the Mass at the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Tallahassee. The Red Mass provides an annual opportunity for bishops and the lay faithful to gather in prayer with elected and appointed officials as one body in Christ. Congregants invoke the Holy Spirit, praying that those who serve in the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government will be divinely inspired and guided as they carry out their work for the people of Florida.
The Distinguished Catholic Leader Award is presented to a Catholic Floridian whose life and work have deepened respect for life and increased appreciation for the human dignity of the people of Florida. The award is named for and was first presented in 1995 to Thomas A. Horkan, Jr., founding executive director of the Florida Catholic Conference. Ferré is the ninth recipient since the award’s inception.
As Catholics, we commit to live our faith in all areas of our lives, to pursue justice for our neighbors, and to protect and uphold the dignity of all human life. Each year during the legislative session, Catholics from across the state gather in Florida's Capital City for an opportunity to fulfill these commitments.
On Wednesday, June 5, a fire was set at the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Tallahassee. The church is the location where the Red Mass of the Holy Spirit is celebrated annually by the bishops of Florida during Catholic Days at the Capitol.
On March 26-27, 2019, nearly 400 Catholics from across the state convened in Tallahassee to participate in Catholic Days at the Capitol. With a record crowd in attendance, including over 70 high school students, participants from as near as the local Tallahassee community to as far south as Cutler Bay in Miami-Dade County put their faith into action in Florida's capital city.
While in town for Catholic Days at the Capitol, the bishops of Florida were able to visit with Senate President Bill Galvano. The bishops engaged with the president on a range of issues, including abortion, the death penalty, parental choice in education, criminal justice, immigration reform, and access to health care.