Born in Anjuna, Goa, on January 21, 1869, Venerable Fr. Agnelo De Souza showed deep piety from a young age. His childhood home remains a pilgrimage site for devotees. After his parents passed away when he was eleven, he continued his spiritual journey, eventually joining the Society of Pilar and being ordained a priest in 1898.
Fr. Agnelo’s life was marked by humble and dedicated service across parishes in Goa and Karnataka. His most significant contribution to the Pilar Society was as the spiritual director of the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol, where he was admired for his holiness, humility, and dedication. He became a beloved and influential figure for both students and professors.
Even after his death in 1927, his influence has continued to grow. His tomb at the Pilar Monastery attracts numerous devotees, and the process for his canonization is underway in Rome. His legacy serves as a powerful symbol of the missionary spirit of the Pilar Society.