Guido Schaffer, “Surfer Angel”
The Congregation for the Causes of Saints has approved the cause of beatification of a pious young surfer from Brazi named Guido Schaffer.
Known as the “Surfer Angel”, the Catholic News Agency reports that the Archdiocese of Rio de Janiero is in the process of establishing a tribunal to handle the cause of Schaffer after sending numerous documents to the Vatican which gave evidence “that he lived in accord with the teachings of the Church.”
Born on May 22, 1974, in Volta Redonda, Brazil, Guido graduated from medical school in 1998. He immediately went to work at the Holy Home of Mercy, operated by the Missionaries of Charity, where he provided care to homeless people. He eventually entered the seminary and intended to continue this work after being ordained, even going so far as asking if he could live at the Home when he became a priest.
But that day was not to come. Only weeks away from ordination. Guido was attending a friend’s bachelor party at Barra da Tijuca beach in Rio de Janiero when he drowned in a surfing accident. He was just 34 years old.
“He was the son of physicians, he was well-off economically but he was not attached to material things,” said Father Roberto Lopes, episcopal vicar for the causes of saints in the Archdiocese, last May. “He was very sensitive toward others and was a man of great faith and was passionate for the word of God.”
“On the day of his burial, the Church of Our Lady of Copacabana was filled with bishops, priests and many believers who saw him as a young man who was different and deeply loved God,” Fr. Lopes said.
Guido’s life is already having an impact on youth. During World Youth Day in 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, many young people visited an expo on his life.
As Father Lopes says, Guido’s life “inspires more and more young people to follow the way of holiness while continuing to do everything that young people do.”
Click here to visit Guido’s Facebook page (in Spanish).
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