The Saint John XXIII Foundation was established on May 6, 2022, with the mission “to establish, receive, and maintain a fund or funds for the pastoral support of Catholics in the Armed Forces, patients in Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers, and United States government personnel serving outside of the United States.”
Today, Catholics make up 20% of the United States military, but constitute only eight percent of the chaplain corps, leaving the spiritual care of almost two million faithful to just over 200 priests. This Foundation supports the practice of the faith of Catholics in the Armed Forces and patients in Veterans Affairs Medical Centers by raising money for its various endowed funds and annual fund and providing grants to underwrite the costs of projects and programs that align with the mission of the Saint John XXIII Foundation. Grants include underwriting the education and formation of seminarians who will serve as future Catholic Military Chaplains.
Today Catholics make up 20% of the military, but only eight percent of Military Chaplains, leaving the spiritual leadership of almost two million individuals and their families to just over 200 priests. This Foundation will support the practice of the faith of Catholics in the Armed Forces and Patients in Veterans Affairs Medical Centers by collecting funds for its various endowed funds and the Foundation’s annual fund. The Board of Directors of the Foundation then provides grants to underwrite the costs of projects and programs that align with the mission of the Saint John XXIII Foundation.
The Saint John XXIII Foundation pays honor and tribute to the life and ministry of Pope Saint John XXIII, Il Papa Buono (the good pope), who while a young priest served as an army medic and military hospital chaplain during World War I, bringing the ministry and sacraments of the Catholic Church to those in harm’s way.