Arielle Jacus, who is studying social work at Saint Leo University, spent her spring break in Tallahassee, with eight other Saint Leo students and staff members for Catholic Days at the Capitol March 18-19, 2025. Participants learned about the issues important to Catholics and shared Catholic viewpoints on human dignity with elected officials. This is Arielle’s second time participating in this effort to shape the future of our society by sharing our Catholic faith with lawmakers. 

“This is important work. I enjoy advocating for good causes in the name of Jesus, with other people who love Jesus like I do,” said Jacus.

Over 300 Catholics descended upon Tallahassee with their bishops on March 18th. Their first stop was the Donald Tucker Civic Center where they attended a legislative briefing. Staff from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, a statewide Catholic advocacy organization, spoke about the four legislative priorities for 2025. Two of the priorities are associated with the incarcerated: Opposing the expansion of the Death Penalty and supporting prison infrastructure enhancements since current conditions are considered inhumane for inmates and staff. Another priority focuses on defeating efforts to legalize physician assisted suicide. The fourth priority is to require students in grades 6-12 to learn about the development of a baby in utero (Required Instruction in Human Embryology, House Bill 1255).

“What I'm really excited about this year is the human embryology course for grades six through 12. It's particularly close to my heart as a social worker because kids are our next generation and so making sure they receive a balanced and wholesome education is very important,” said Jacus.

Bishop Gregory Parkes has attended Catholic Days at the Capitol for over ten years and he explains why he is happy to participate.

“It's important for Catholics to gather in our state capitol each year to meet with our legislators and to make sure that the the moral issues and teachings of our faith that are important to us are expressed,” said Bishop Parkes.

Modern culture seeks to distort the role of faith communities in the political process, by implying that faith is a private matter. However, Catholics have a moral obligation to speak out on issues. 

“Whenever politics and the teachings of our faith or our moral teachings intersect, we not only have a right to get involved, but we have a responsibility to do so and to speak up, because we're not only people of faith by our baptism, but we are also citizens of this country. We have a right to speak up,” said Bishop Parkes.

The Catholic voice in particular is needed to guide the political process so that the common good can be achieved and humanity can flourish.

“This is an important opportunity we have every year to help a world that in some ways, has lost sight of what it means to be fully human. We have an understanding of the human person, of humanity, that we receive from Christ through our Baptism. We are called to speak about the dignity of the human person, and to fight for all these issues that touch on human dignity,” said Father Ralph D’Elia, who also attended Catholic Days at the Capitol.

Prayer is another priority during the two-day event. Bishops from six of the seven dioceses in Florida led participants in praying the Rosary and other prayers. Also, the bishops celebrated the Red Mass at the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More. The Red Mass continues the long-standing tradition of calling on the Holy Spirit to provide divine inspiration and guidance for those serving in government and members of the legal profession. Mass participants are Catholic and non-Catholic and include members of Florida’s executive branch, legislators, judges, attorneys, state agency officials and community members. Governor Ron Desantis, who is Catholic, attended the Red Mass. 

Melissa Garrett, president of the St. Petersburg Diocesan Council of Catholic Women joined other CCW presidents from across Florida to serve as gift bearers at the Red Mass. 

Archbishop Wenski served as homilist for the Red Mass. He mentioned that in the year 2000, Pope St. John Paul II declared St. Thomas More the patron saint of politicians. 

“The Holy Father believed that political life can be -- and should be -- a legitimate vocation; that is, a path to holiness. And your service as officers of the court and/or as elected officials is likewise a path to holiness, a true vocation in which you are called to live out the implications of your baptism by working for justice,” said Archbishop Wenski speaking to the government and legal officials who were at the Red Mass.

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The Florida Catholic Advocacy Network or FLCAN is an online network established by the bishops of Florida to educate and mobilize Catholics across Florida’s seven dioceses on public policy issues pertaining to life, dignity, and the common good.  Sign up here.

Save the Date!

Make plans now to attend the next Catholic Days at the Capitol, February 10-11, 2026.

Click here to read more on why we should be advocates as Catholics.