Reverend Monsignor Salvador John Culotta
Reverend Monsignor Salvador John Culotta was called from this life by the Lord on August 13, 2025.
Salvador was born December 27, 1929, to Charles C. Culotta and Angelina Fertitta Culotta in Beaumont, Texas. After completing eight years in Beaumont public schools, he enrolled at St. Anthony’s High School (Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School). During his high school years, he was a star player in both football and baseball. “Salty,” the name we all know him by, was given to him by his coach. “Salvador” was simply too long to yell across a field.
Monsignor Culotta knew from the very young age of five that he wanted to be a priest. After graduating from St. Anthony High School in 1946, he entered St Mary’s Seminary in LaPorte and was ordained on May 30, 1953. During his seventy-two years of priesthood, Monsignor Culotta served at least ten different parishes under seven bishops and ministered to thousands of parishioners. He dedicated his life to his religious vocation and service to all.
Appointments and Honors:
- June 27, 1953, Assistant Pastor, St. Vincent, Houston
- September 15, 1959, Chaplain, St. Joseph Hospital, Houston
- June 15, 1963, Assistant Pastor, St. Mary Cathedral, Galveston
- August 6, 1965, Assistant Pastor, St. Patrick, Galveston
- August 6, 1966, Assistant Pastor, St. Anthony, Beaumont
- January 18, 1969, Assistant Pastor, St. Mary, Orange
- September 6, 1969, Pastor, St. Joseph, Beaumont
- August 22, 1970, Pastor, St. Joseph, Port Arthur (oversaw the construction of the current church and rectory)
- June 15, 1978, Pastor, St. Jude Thaddeus, Beaumont (founding pastor)
- June 1, 1990, Pastor, St. Pius X, Beaumont
- Named a Prelate of Honor (Monsignor) by Pope John Paul II on April 11, 1997
- December 27, 1999, retired
- September 27 to December 25, 2002, Parochial Administrator, Our Lady of Lourdes, Vidor
- In retirement, he worked with Cursillo, as the Director of Spanish Speaking Ministries, and as Director of the Ecumenical Commission. He was also on the Tribunal, the Diocesan Building Commission, the Priests Retirement Committee, and the Diocesan Finance Committee.
During retirement Monsignor Culotta spent half of the year in Angel Fire, NM where he was fundamental in founding the Holy Angels Mission Catholic Church.
While the priesthood was his greatest love, opera, travel, and good food were not far behind. Salty loved sharing life’s experiences with family and friends. Be it at a five-star restaurant in Italy or at a homestyle meal he prepared for guests at his beloved get-away-cabin, Salty always inspired the lively exchange of ideas, the sharing of stories, and gales of laughter. His presence will be missed at these gatherings.
Monsignor Culotta was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Angelina Culotta, and his sister, Rose Culotta Perkins.
Those remaining who will cherish his memory are his brothers, Charles C. Culotta, Jr., and his wife, Pat; and Joseph Culotta and his wife, Donna; sister, Oliva Culotta McKee and her husband, Joe; ten nieces and nephews; fifteen great nieces and nephews; three great–great nieces and nephews; and cousins too numerous to count.
Memorial contributions may be made to Monsignor Salvador Culotta Scholarship Fund, C/O Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School, 5950 Kelly Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77707 or online at https://app.schoolfundr.org/fund/mkhsmculottascholarship.
The Reception of Reverend Monsignor Salvador Culotta’s body will be at 3:00 p.m., with a Rosary to be recited at 4:00 p.m., and a gathering of family and friends at 5:00 p.m., Sunday, August 17, 2025, at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, 700 Jefferson Street, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m., Monday, August 18, 2025, at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, with his interment to follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont.
Video
Reception of Reverend Monsignor Culotta's Body
St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica
- 700, Jefferson St, Beaumont, TX, 77701,
- August 17, 2025
- 3:00 pm
Rosary
St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica
- 700, Jefferson St, Beaumont, TX, 77701,
- August 17, 2025
- 4:00 pm
Gathering of Family and Friends
St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica
- 700, Jefferson St, Beaumont, TX, 77701,
- August 17, 2025
- 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Mass of Christian Burial
St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica
- 700, Jefferson St, Beaumont, TX, 77701,
- August 18, 2025
- 10:00 am
Interment
Magnolia Cemetery
- 2291, Pine St, Beaumont, TX, 77703,
I did not know Monsignor Culotta, although I certainly
wish that I did. His brother Charles is a solid friend of ours, even
though we live way up in the Ozark Mountains. May our Lord grant Fr. Culotta repose and eternal peace.
Chuck and I were the first wedding at ST.Jude 7/26/2080. Father Culotta was our priest. And baptized
my 37 year old daughter.He was with people at the best of times and the saddest of times.
In October of 1978, I was in the fourth grade at St. Anne’s Catholic School. I went to my first Funeral Mass for my Uncle Charlie (Charles J. Fertitta, Jr)., who passed away at the young age of 47. My Uncle Charlie and Fr. Culotta were first cousins and my Uncle Charlie and his wife, RoseAnn Fertitta were part of the group planning the new Catholic Church in town, St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church. My Uncle’s death shocked our entire family but I will never forget what Fr. Culotta said in my uncle’s eulogy – “if Charlie had the choice to come back here or stay in heaven he would chose heaven.” I knew how much my Uncle Charlie loved my aunt and his three daughters and I thought, “Wow! Heaven must be really beautiful and incredible!” I’ll never forget that lesson and I hope it brings comfort to everyone who is saddened by his death.
Our dear friend and priest, Fr. Culotta, will be greatly missed. He was a pleasant and inspiring part of our lives for many, many years. We certainly have a new advocate in Heaven, as he used to always tell us when a loved one passed on.
Rest in God’s peace, dear friend.
May our Lord and Savior welcome Father Culotta into His loving heart and arms, granting him an eternal life as a member of the Family of GOD, in Heaven.
Judy and I were founding members of ST. Jude parish, enjoying the many years of leadership and love from Father Culotta. He was not only a wonderful priest, he was also a wonderful, kind, giving person. We were saddened when he left St. Jude, but when we would see him at various functions, he always remember us, engaging us, with conversation of past times. We even ran into him on a flight to Rome. He also reminded us of his fond memories of our son, Cory. May you rest, in peace, with the glory of GOD, welcoming you home.
God Bless this man. He has been, my boss, my friend and my savior over the years and we have loved him and been blessed to call him “friend”. Enjoy your reward Fr. Salty. ❤️
Georgia D
May he hear the angels wings as they usher him to his eternal reward. Our neighbor will be sorely missed. We thank him for his love & caring.
Loved him. He was such a sweet man of God🙏🏼
He was a wonderful priest and so great a blessing! And so generous too.
We were both saddened to learn that Father Culotta passed away. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and Catholic Church.
Father Culotta had been a long time friend and always was so kind to us when were would visit with him at various events in the community.
He will be missed by all that knew him.
He will always have a special place in my heart, May he rest in God’s arms 🙏🏻🙏🏻
We are deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved Father Culotta. He was a man of unwavering faith, kindness, and generosity—someone who always gave of himself without asking for anything in return. His presence was a steady source of comfort, wisdom, and joy in our lives.
To know him was to feel cared for, encouraged, and truly seen. He guided us with compassion, led by example, and taught us the values of love, humility, and service. His legacy will live on in the countless lives he touched and the lessons he instilled in us.
We will always be grateful for the years we had with him, and we will carry his spirit in our hearts always. Rest peacefully, Father. You were an extraordinary man, and you are loved more than words can express.
Reverend Monsignor Salvador Culotta’s
Sunday sermons at St Pius inspire me deeply, offering a profoundly personal and heartfelt connection with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I have immense admiration and affection for Father Culotta, and I will be praying for his family daily, sending love and support.