Pope Francis Approves Brazilian Surfer for Sainthood

Guido Schäffer died while surfing in 2009 in Brazil.

The seminarian, doctor, and surfer was on his way to priesthood before his untimely death. But now Schäffer, known as the “Surfer Angel,” could be immortalized as a saint.

According to a report from the Catholic News Agency:

“The Catholic Church is one step closer to canonizing a surfing saint. Pope Francis recognized the heroic virtue of Brazil’s ‘Surfer Angel’ Guido Schäffer in a decree issued by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints on Saturday.

“With the decree, Pope Francis declared Schäffer ‘venerable.’ The Church will now need to approve a miracle attributed to his intercession before he can be beatified.”

So, there could be the first-ever surfing saint? Maybe so.

For decades, the patron saint for religious surfers has been Saint Christopher – a martyr killed in the third century by Roman emperor Decius. Faith-based surfers often wear a Saint Christopher necklace as a symbol of strength in the ocean. But by all accounts, Christopher didn’t surf – and it’s hard to pin down an actual surfer amongst the lengthy list of saints.

Which is why Schäffer could be the first.

Schäffer grew up in Brazil’s surfing hub of Copacabana. He became a doctor, often spending his time offering medical services to the poor. He was studying to become a priest when tragedy struck at Rio’ de Janeiro’s Recreio dos Bandeirantes beach on May 1, 2009; Schäffer smacked his head on his surfboard, and drowned.

In 2019, the beach was renamed Praia do Guido.

And now, with the approval of the Pope, there could be a new surfing saint in town.

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