Diocese of Venice Celebrates 1,077 Easter Baptisms

Bishop Frank J. Dewane baptized five people and confirmed eleven during the Easter Vigil Mass on April 4 at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice, part of a diocesan surge in Catholic conversions.

Across the Diocese of Venice, 1,077 women and men entered the Catholic Church during the Easter Vigil, a 94% increase from 2025. Nineteen of those converts were diocesan Catholic high school students.

The Easter Vigil began after sunset in darkness. A deacon kindled the Easter fire, lit the Paschal Candle, and carried it down the main aisle while the congregation responded to the proclamation "The Light of Christ" with "Thanks be to God."

Bishop Dewane told attendees to reflect on obstacles in their own lives. "We have to look at it in the same way in our own lives, see the stone that I need to roll away," he said, referencing the Gospel account of the stone rolled away from Jesus' tomb. "Christ knows it and wants to help us so that there is nothing interfering in our relationship with Him."

Candace Kerns received baptism, confirmation, and First Holy Communion at the vigil. She credited the online series "Word on Fire" by Bishop Robert Barron for sparking her interest in Catholicism. "I feel the burdens lifted from me, and so welcomed during this beautiful celebration," Kerns said.

The Easter Season extends for 50 days. Catholics will celebrate the Ascension on May 17, followed by nine days of preparation for Pentecost on May 24.