Ven. Agnelo was born in Anjuna, Goa on 21 January 1869, to a very pious family of Minguel Arcanj Mariano de Souza and Maria Sinforosa Perpetua Magalhaes. His parents were devout and religious minded people imbued with a true Christian spirit.
From his very early age Agnelo displayed an uncommon and uncanny eagerness to study catechism. Children of his age used to flock around him to hear him repeat the Sunday sermon or other stories.
Fr. Agnelo was a brilliant student. He began his studies in the Govt. Primary School, Anjuna. He always came out with flying colours, topping his class. Later he completed 2 years of Latin language. Fr. Agnelo studied philosophy and secured the highest marks in every examination. He began his theological studies in the Seminary of Rachol. He was a person of studious habits.
God had destined Agnelo for a perfect life. He wanted to live the Evangelical counsels in a religious order. After much prayer, reflection th and consultation, on 17th July 1897, he joined the Diocesan Missionary th Society of St. Francis Xavier of Pilar, Goa. On 24th September 1898, he was ordained a priest by Dom Antonio Sebastiao Valente.
On 8th September 1908, he made his total oblation to God, as a fullfledged missionary. From then, began his life as a true shepherd of souls. As a Pastor at Shiroda and Sanvordem (Goa), Kumta (Karwar), Fr. Agnelo, in his humble and unobtrusive manner, acquitted himself to the best of his abilities as a priest, preacher, confessor and administrator.
The then Patriarch of Goa, Dom Matheus de Oliveira Xavier, seeing the holiness of Fr. Agnelo, appointed him as the Spiritual Director of the th Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol on 20th May 1918. Even while he was alive he was lovingly referred to be “our saint”. As a Spiritual director he was loving and caring to both the staff and students.
He had a very holy death on 20th November 1927. It was on the vespers of the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus that Fr. Agnelo, was the preacher. Towards the end of sermon he collapsed on the pulpit. When he was brought down he insisted on being allowed to remain until the Benediction of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Even in his last moments he showed the tranquility of a saintly man. Upon his death all around the Seminary, people said, “a saint has passed away”. At his funeral the then parish priest commented, “I have just laid a saint to rest”.
The devotion of Ven. Agnelo has spread far and wide in India and abroad. Thousands of favours have been obtained through the intercession of Ven. Agnelo.
It is up to us to join hands and hearts to storm heaven to raise our Indian and Goan brother to the honour of the altar. At Pilar and at other devotion centres every Thursday, thousands of people flock to intercede for their needs and also to pray for his canonization.
PRAYER FOR THE BEATIFICATION OF VEN. AGNELO
O God of infinite mercy, we humbly prostrate at Your feet. We beg with whole hearted trust, that if it be Your Holy Will and if it serves our salvation, grant Fr. Agnelo the honour of the Altar through the solemn declaration of Our Provident Mother, the Church. We ask this through Christ Our Lord.
-Amen