Pelágio Sauter
A Redemptorist priest of German origin, Pelágio Sauter dedicated his life to evangelization and serving the poor and the sick in the state of Goiás, Brazil.
Contemporaries
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Guided reading
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Biography
His youth in Germany, his large family, and his formation with the Redemptorists until his ordination.
Pelagius Sauter was born on September 9, 1878, in Hausen am Tann, Germany, into a family of fifteen children. His father, Matthias Sauter, was a schoolteacher, organist, and sacristan, and his mother, Maria Neher, was dedicated to the parish. In 1895, Pelágio entered the Redemptorist seminary. He studied in Gars am Inn and Dürrnberg, where he was taught by Blessed Kaspar Stanggassinger. He took his vows and was ordained a priest on June 16, 1907, by Bishop Franz Anton von Henle.
Life and Work
His departure for Brazil, his itinerant ministry in the sertão of Goiás, and his dedication to the sick.
Arriving in Brazil on August 4, 1909, Father Pelágio would never see his homeland again. After a period in the State of São Paulo, where he devoted himself during the Spanish flu epidemic in 1918, he settled in the State of Goiás in 1911. For 47 years, he conducted itinerant missions (desobrigas) on horseback in remote areas, visited the sick, and welcomed pilgrims in Trindade. In 1920, he encouraged the founding of the village of São Geraldo, the future municipality of Goianira.
Path to holiness
His final years were dedicated to the sick, and he died from pneumonia contracted during a pastoral visit.
During his final years, Father Pelágio dedicated himself almost exclusively to the sick. In November 1961, caught in a torrential downpour while returning from a pastoral visit, he contracted severe pneumonia. He passed away on November 23, 1961, in Goiânia. His death caused deep national emotion, with the government decreeing three days of mourning. His funeral brought together tens of thousands of the faithful, and he was buried in Trindade.
Beatification and canonization
The opening of his cause for beatification and his recognition as Venerable by Pope Francis in 2014.
The reputation for holiness of Father Pelágio led to the opening of his diocesan process for beatification on November 23, 1997, which closed in 1999. On November 7, 2014, Pope Francis recognized the heroic nature of his virtues and declared him Venerable. The cause continues, awaiting the recognition of a miracle.
Spirituality and legacy
His simple piety, his use of music for evangelization, and the lasting impact of his name in Goiás.
The spirituality of Pelágio Sauter is based on great simplicity, continual prayer, and a Marian devotion marked by the rosary. A musician, he evangelized through song. His legacy remains alive in Goiás through numerous monuments, the Rodovia Padre Pelágio, the Goiânia bus terminal, and the Fundação Padre Pelágio created in 1972.
Frequently asked questions about Pelágio Sauter
Who was Pelágio Sauter?
A Redemptorist priest of German origin, Pelágio Sauter dedicated his life to evangelization and serving the poor and the sick in the state of Goiás, Brazil.
What is Pelágio Sauter invoked for?
Pelágio Sauter is invoked for: les malades and the sick.
Which saints were contemporaries of Pelágio Sauter?
Contemporaries include: Jesús María Echavarría Aguirre, Pauline of the Agonizing Heart of Jesus, Narcisa de Jesús and Juan de Jesús López y González.
When did Pelágio Sauter die?
Pelágio Sauter died around 1878.
What are the other names of Pelágio Sauter?
Other forms of the name: Pelagius Sauter.
Who are the relatives of Pelágio Sauter?
Relatives of Pelágio Sauter: Matthias Sauter (father), Maria Neher (mother) and Gaspar Sauter (brother).
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Era / death: 1878-1961
- Decree of venerability by Francis