Stella Maris

Services: Stella Maris is the Catholic ministry to “the people of the sea.” Each year, more than 2,100 deep sea vessels enter the ports within our diocese carrying 46,000 mariners, most of whom are Catholic. Stella Maris also ministers to those who man the more than 300 shrimp boats that sail the Gulf of Mexico. Recognized in 1922 by Pope Pius XI as the Apostleship of the Sea, Stella Maris has spread from its beginning in the North Sea to all the oceans of the world.

The Diocese of Beaumont is the United States’ third largest maritime center, and with that status comes tens of thousands of merchant sailors every year. These mariners come from across the United States, and from around the world. The Diocese’s maritime ministry is active in our three major deepwater ports – Beaumont, Port Arthur and Orange. In Beaumont and Port Arthur, Catholic maritime ministry is carried out in an ecumenical spirit through the Seafarers’ Center of Beaumont and the Port Arthur International Seafarers’ Center. The Port of Orange is serviced through the Port Arthur International Seafarers’ Center and the outreach of Catholics in Orange.