Jean Gonzalez – Florida Catholic staff
“My dear brothers and sisters in Christ. When it rains in Florida, it truly rains in Florida,” said Father Robert Marva O.F.M. Cap., provincial minister of the St. Augustine Province in Pittsburgh.
He said it with a smile to those gathered for solemn vespers July 10, 2026, at St. John XXIII Parish in Fort Myers. The Capuchin Franciscan arrived in Southwest Florida for the ordination of his friend and fellow Capuchin Bishop-Elect Emilio Biosca Agüero, O.F.M. Cap., as third bishop of Venice. While the ordination was the afternoon of July 11, vespers were held the night before. An evening shower in July is not unusual. But it would seem Mother Nature wanted to welcome the new bishop with a bit more flair. When a lightning bolt with visible crackling struck overhead, seasoned residents braced themselves for the loud boom that reverberated against the walls inside and outside the church. Then came the downpour.
Father Marva said what would have taken a few moments to arrive to the parish on a sunny day, turned into 45 minutes.
But despite starting a little late, there was much praise and worship offered by laity who sang praises to God in anticipation of their new shepherd. Prelude music was offered by the Haitian and Spanish choirs of St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Naples, the Spanish men’s choir of Jesus the Worker in Fort Myers and the Vietnamese choir of the host parish of St. John XXIII.
The rains only reminded the faithful this is the day the Lord has made. “Until May 13, no eye had seen, no ear had heard nor had it dawned on the local church of Venice, the people of the Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Washington, D.C., or the Capuchins of the Province of St. Augustine of what God had in store for Padre Emilio,” Father Marva said. “God’s wisdom and ours is not the same. God’s plans and ours may not begin the same, but become one through the graces of the Holy Spirit.”
Father Marva assured the faithful that his fellow Capuchin would be a faithful and good shepherd to the Church of Southwest Florida. He said the priest knows about leading faith communities and learned to do so “in many cultural settings and in many languages,” which benefit the ethnically diverse diocese. “Although I think Polish will be a new one for him,” Father Marva said with a laugh.
He added the bishop-elect’s service to the Capuchins as vicar provincial “gave wisdom and insight to our council and also kept me on the right path.”
“Bishop Emilio is a thoughtful and reflective leader, and able to listen and to hear what others say with acknowledgment and respect,” Father Marva said. “But he is also not afraid to share his own thoughts or express disagreement. … He will bring honesty and humor, prayerfulness and patience, and will sport a flexible wardrobe of episcopal black and purple, as well as Capuchin brown with sandals and cord.”
The gifts the bishop-elect offers the Church were also instilled by his family, including his parents — Emilio Rodolfo Sr. and Carmen de Maria Agüero — who celebrate 65 years of marriage on July 29 and renewed their wedding vows at Bishop Emilio’s first mass as bishop on July 12. In an interview with the Florida Catholic following vespers his parents said they have many different emotions about their son’s appointment. They feel blessed and honored about the appointment but were also surprised.
“We thank God for his decision and the pope’s decision,” Emilio Sr. said. “He was always a dedicated young man who took the faith seriously.”
His mother Carmen said her son is a “great gift” who is “very friendly, takes care of everyone a lot and listens.” They both described him as a simple and honest person.
“I have learned a lot from him,” Carmen said. “He has great charity.”
“Parents are the ones who teach their children, but in our case it has been the other way around,” Emilio Sr. added. ”He has been the one who has taught us the path and the goodness of God.”
They both know the faithful of the Diocese of Venice will embrace him just as others have in his past. They said he has shown time and time again that he takes “great care of the marginalized, the poor and migrants,” along with all the faithful.
“In him you will find a person who is very dedicated to the faith and to work,” Emilio Sr. said.
“He is willing to meet (the faithful) first. That has always been his desire,” Carmen said. “As soon as they meet him, they will love him.”
Bishop Dewane was invited to celebrate the Mass in St. Francis Xavier Hall (a dormitory) by students who are part of a new Blessed Carlos Acutis Robotics Club. From that invitation grew an opportunity for the students to not only have the Bishop present for Mass, but to lead the students in Evening Vespers.
Following the Mass, many of the students remained for Vespers, or Evening Prayer. Vespers is part of the Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office. In the Liturgy of the Hours, the Church fulfills Jesus’ command to “pray always” (Luke 18:1; see also 1 Thessalonians 5:17). Through this prayer, the people of God sanctify the day by continual praise of God and prayers of intercession for the needs of the world.
