On November 13, 2025, Pope Leo XIV established the Apostolate of the Sea, defining the Church’s global pastoral ministry to seafarers and maritime communities. Operating under the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, it establishes governance structures and responsibilities for coordination, formation, pastoral care, and financial administration worldwide. For more, click here.
Through this statute, the Holy See reaffirms the Church’s commitment to accompany those whose work is connected to the sea—merchant mariners, fishermen, port workers, and their families—many of whom face long periods of isolation and limited access to parish life. The Apostolate of the Sea seeks to ensure that these communities remain connected to the sacramental and pastoral life of the Church wherever their work takes them.
The statute outlines an international structure of assemblies, councils, and leadership roles responsible for guiding and coordinating the mission of the Apostolate. These bodies will support cooperation among dioceses, maritime chaplaincies, and Catholic organizations serving seafarers in ports around the world.
A key dimension of the Apostolate’s mission is providing spiritual care and human support through port chaplaincies, pastoral visits, sacramental ministry, and outreach to those experiencing hardship or loneliness. By strengthening this global network, Pope Leo XIV underscores the Church’s enduring concern for maritime workers and its mission to bring the Gospel and compassionate care to those who live and labor on the seas.
For more, click here.
Devotional for vocational discernment, For Fishing People invites readers to “cast into the deep,” reflecting on biblical fishing images, prayer, and mission. Rooted in the Missionaries of the Holy Apostles’ charism, it encourages action today.
Guadalupe with Lepanto is a devotional-historical reflection linking Our Lady of Guadalupe to the 1571 Battle of Lepanto, exploring Marian imagery, naval history, and rosary-centered faith across continents traditions.
SEE the SEA? invites readers into a journey of maritime spirituality through the eyes of Vincent A. Salamoni, a retired Navy chaplain and Missionary of the Holy Apostles. Blending nautical imagery, Scripture, and personal reflection, the book navigates themes of hope, gratitude, and divine guidance—offering a spiritual anchor for those sailing the seas of life’s challenges and mysteries.
The Conquering Heart is a spiritual collection by Vincent A. Salamoni blending theology, poetry, naval imagery, and reflections on Christ’s Mystical Body. It inspires virtue, grace, and divine participation in the modern world through Eucharistic devotion and vocational calling.
ST JAW explores the relationship between artificial and human intelligence through theological reflection, prayer, and poetry, presenting a symbolic figure representing the Heart of Christ’s Mystical Body.
Find in this work all of the above combined!
TESTIMONIALS
“Fr. Salamoni’s unique reflections on Faith and Life in a nautical context have always spoken to me and others who are involved in maritime work and the ministry to the People of the Sea. May this collection be an inspiration to all mariners, and all who live, recreate or work upon the vast waters.” – Doreen M Badeaux, Secretary General Apostleship of the Sea of the United States of America
“I have served with Fr Salamoni for many years as a fellow Active Duty Navy Chaplain. I have been the beneficiary of his writings which were always joyful, thought provoking, and a delight to read. I heartily and happily give my endorsement to this latest collection. Enjoy!” – Bishop Joseph L Coffey, Vicar for Veterans Affairs, Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA
On the occasion of the 9/11 Boatlift 20th Anniversary Tribute: “Thank you Chaplain: We appreciate you thinking of us as we prepare to honor the heroes, victims and survivors. Your maritime-related prayers continue to uplift many of our members.” – Jessica LM Hitchen, Executive Director, New York Council Navy League
“May The Mercy Ocean be a source of consolation for all who ponder on its gems of wisdom.” — Very Rev. Peter S. Kucer, MSA, STD; President-Rector of Holy Apostles College & Seminary.
“To those who meditate, the Spirit’s gift of Knowledge and Understanding is abundant, and the Heart of Jesus is open for us to see if we seek Him in such a path. Father Vincent’s short work of collected meditations and memorable quotes from various sources is a simple and genuine fruit of his own labor of meditation. Enveloped in beautiful images, and even more beautiful thoughts, The Mercy Ocean is a piece meant to help those along their own path of meditation. Read slowly, read carefully, and read seeking the face of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.” — Fra. Angelo, Knights of the Holy Eucharist
“Antoine de Saint Exupéry (1900-1944), a French writer and aviator, once wrote: ‘If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.’ Fr. Vincent Salamoni’s The Mercy Ocean accomplishes this. More than a sailor’s retreat, this book is a sailor’s delight in the way it inspires the contemplative to cast out into the deep of God’s mercy and grace.” — Dr. Sebastian Mahfood, OP, author of The Narrative Spirituality of Dante’s Divine Comedy: a hundred-day guided journal
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Fr. Vincent A. Salamoni, M.S.A. (Vincent Gaspar Anthony Rizzuti Salamoni), is a member of the Society of the Missionaries of the Holy Apostles (M.S.A.). Their charism is to promote, form and accompany vocations to the priesthood and other ministries.
He ministered from on board from a dugout canoe in the Peruvian Amazon to on board the USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65) nuclear air carrier, which is not the starship!
He is retired from in the Chaplain Corps of the United States Navy.
Now, he is a Provincial Emeritus of the MSA-USA and is being through, with, and in, the Mercy Ocean.
An Autobiography (abridged)
CHILDHOOD:
My four grandparents born in Sicily. They went to New York City, in approximately their twenties. They lived in the USA about 50 years and never spoke English. My father was 6 years old when he arrived in NYC. My mother was born in the USA; some of her siblings were born in Sicily. My father was an iconic NYC taxi driver for over 40 years. My mother worked as a seamstress in the NYC garment industry, and afterwards was a full-time housewife. I have three older sisters … extended biological family …
EXPERIMENTAL:
The development of my worldview: Received a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Worked 5 years in the insurance industry. Sailed 2 years in the U.S. Navy as a Radarman / Operations Specialist. Became a Vietnam veteran.
PRIESTHOOD:
Ordained in 1984; theological studies: 2 years in USA, 2 years in Rome. Missionaries of the Holy Apostles (M.S.A.) 2 years in Vicariate Apostolic San José del Amazonas (Peru); 1 year Connecticut; 2 years near Lima, 6 years near Caracas. U.S. Navy, Chaplain Corps: 13 active years: including – Okinawa; USS ENTERPRISE, not a starship, rather an aircraft carrier; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Iceland; Virginia; San Diego, Naval Hospital; Puerto Rico/Virgin Islands et cetera. Emeritus USA-MSA Provincial Animator (Superior) “Pastoral” Pasture
“After a dangerous voyage, at last I am in sight of the port I have been trying to get to for so long. I shall now be able to enjoy my God … and I shall be freed from a heavy load which I just can’t bear.” – Saint Louis of Anjou, on his deathbed
[Cited in THE MERCY OCEAN.]