The more than 6,500 Diocese of Venice Catholic school students have spent the past six months taking part in a special devotional project wherein they learned more about Angels and their importance in Salvation History, all in a continued effort to help each student grow closer to Jesus Christ.
The theme for the 2024-2025 Diocesan Catholic School Devotional Project was from the Litany of the Holy Guardian Angel: “Instruct me in the duties and truth of Salvation.” The Devotional Project was inspired by Pslam 91:11: “For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”
The focus on the devotion to the Angels is supported by Bishop Frank J. Dewane, who has encouraged the devotional project since its inception in the 2020-2021 academic year.
The Devotional Project had two parts, a Junior Catechist program where eighth grade students from each of the Diocese’s 12 elementary schools received specialized training in November 2024 and brought their knowledge about the Angels, Guardian Angels and Archangels, and how to grow closer to the Lord into their respective schools. In addition, an art contest took place encouraging students from kindergarten through high school to submit their vision of Angels, Guadian Angels and Archangels.
The Devotional Project closing ceremony took place May 2, 2025, at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Venice. Father John Belmonte, SJ, Diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Education, celebrated Mass for the Junior Catechists and the art contest winners. Also participating were teachers and parents.
Each Junior Catechist received a gift basket for their hard work, while the art contest winners received a gift, ribbon, a framed 20×30 print and prayer cards with their artwork. On the reverse of the card was a Prayer to the Holy Angels.
During the Mass, Father Belmonte stressed the importance of how all Angels help us overcome our fears. “They are our great protectors,” he said, stating that the word angel occurs 200 times in Sacred Scripture, 100 times in the Old Testament, and 100 times in the New Testament.
“The message that we receive from God, from the Church, from the Holy Angels is this: ‘Have no fear!’” Father Belmonte said. “The Catechism of the Catholic Church (336), affirms the existence of angels and traditional function: ‘From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession.’ St Basil the Great taught, ‘Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.’”
This is the fourth year the Diocesan Catholic schools have had a devotional project, with 2022-2023 focused on the Most Holy Eucharist (which coincided with the Diocesan Year of the ongoing National Eucharistic Revival); 2021-2022 on the Saints and the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Saints; and 2020-2021 on St. Joseph.
Art contest
For the art contest winners, there were more than 200 entries. Honorees were, Grace Breen, grade 12, Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers; Dominik Bock, Grade 12, Bishop Verot; Shiloh Teeter, grade 11, Bishop Verot; Avah Kipp, grade 11, Bishop Verot; Sicily Pace, grade 8, St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School in Port Charlotte; Isla Collins, grade 6, St. Martha Catholic School in Sarasota; Luke Holderness, grade 4, Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School in Venice; and Luke Falestiny, grade 1, Epiphany.
Grace Breen, who has been recognized for artwork for the past three years, was proud to be honored for her artwork, which she said was very personal. Having a special place in her heart for St. Michael the Archangel, the saint is at the center of the piece, holding his shield and wearing armor while standing atop a volcano, which Grace said showed Michael conquering evil powers. At the top of the image, she included St. Raphael and St. Gabriel. In addition, there is God on His throne, in front of the host and in the background is the Holy Spirit, a visual representation of the Holy Trinity. A golden ribbon, held by God, represents the fabric of time.
Sicily Pace of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School in Port Charlotte decided to create a beautiful colorful image of her Guardian Angel. “I wanted to show what she looks like in heaven as she looks over me,” Sicily said.
At reception following the Mass and awards, all of the participants joined in praying the Prayer to the Holy Angels:
“O Leaders of the heavenly armies, although we are always unworthy, we beseech you that with your prayers you may encircle us with the protection of the wings of your angelic glory. Watch over us as we bow low and earnestly cry out to you: Deliver us from trouble, O princes of the heavenly armies. Amen.”
Falestiny explained that the whole basis for the devotional project can be found in Pslam 91:11: “For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”
