Reverend Monsignor Salvador John "Salty" 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’s 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.