“Come, you who are blessed by my Father; inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Mt 25:34).
Dearest confreres and friends, on September 16, 2026, our very dear Father Devair Francisco dos Santos, Superior of the community in São Paulo (Brazil), returned to the House of the Father, following pulmonary septic shock, acute myeloid leukemia, and chronic myeloproliferative leukemia.
Born in Franca (SP – Brazil) on 14 September 1954, Devair entered the Congregation in 1971. After completing the Novitiate year, he made his temporary profession on 2 February 1978 and his perpetual profession on 15 January 1981. After having attended his studies in Philosophy in Ponta Grossa and those in Theology in São Paulo, he was ordained a priest in São Joaquim da Barra on 6 May 1984 by Msgr. Diógenes da Silva Matthes, Bishop of Franca.
He carried out his priestly ministry as a parish priest and parochial vicar in various communities of ours—most notably in São Domingos, Itá, Itanhaém, Ponta Grossa, São Paulo, Guaira, and Catanduva.
Wherever he served, he proclaimed the Word with simplicity and, using his talents, renovated and embellished churches and chapels, as well as parish houses and facilities, ensuring they were both beautiful and functional.
The funeral took place on September 17 at our parish church of São Francisco de Sales, with many of the faithful in attendance. The Mass was presided over by Monsignor Celso Alexandre, Episcopal Vicar for the Ipiranga Region, and concelebrated by our confreres—Fr. Sandro Luis Degaraes (Delegate) and Fr. Silvio Luis dos Santos—along with several priests from neighboring parishes.
The following day, in São Joaquim da Barra—the city where Fr. Devair’s family has lived for many years—a Eucharistic celebration was held, presided over by our confrere Bishop Vilson Dias de Oliveira and concelebrated by other confreres, including the Vicar General, Fr. Luis Gonzaga Bolinelli, as well as several other priests. Laypeople from Guaira and Catanduva were also in attendance. Afterward, the body was laid to rest in the local cemetery, near his beloved parents and our confreres Fr. Giovanni Del Pero, Fr. Mario Lano, and Fr. Carmelo Zagarella.
In the spirit of Christian hope, we receive this further, heavy loss for our Congregation—and in particular for our dear Brazilian Delegation. We ask Fr. Devair and all our confreres who have gone before us—together with Saint Caesar and Blesseds Claudio and Eustachio—to intercede so that the Lord may continue to bless us with numerous and holy vocations in the service of His Kingdom.
A special thank you to Fr. Sandro Luis Degaraes, Delegate for Brazil, and to the community of São Paulo for the closeness and affection shown to Fr. Devair—especially during this recent period of suffering and illness—as well as to Msgr. Alexandre, our confrere Bishop Vilson, and all the priests and lay faithful who have demonstrated their esteem and affection for dear Fr. Devair, and their closeness to the Congregation.
As is our custom, I invite everyone to offer prayers for Fr. Devair, that he may join in the liturgy of heaven alongside the Virgin Mary, Saint Caesarius, and his fellow religious brothers and relatives.
