P. Wagner Santos (dos)
Maringà - Paranà (Brasile), 1 giugno 1951
Campinas - SP, (Brasile), 29 ottobre 1990
Di Maringà (Paranà, Brasile), Lavorò nel Brasile. Di anni 39. Sepolto a Maririgà
Aveva ventisette anni quando il p. Wagner entrò dai Saveriani a Londrina nel 1978. Aveva fatto gli studi a Maringà, sua città nativa. Aveva anche lavorato come operaio sia durante gli studi come in seguito presso la ditta Pienogas. L'interesse per la vita spirituale dei compagni di studio e di lavoro fece nascere in lui il desiderio di dedicarsi pienamente a lavorare per il Regno di Dio.
Compiuto il noviziato, fece la professione nel 1982 e fu ordinato sacerdote nel 1985.
Si dedicò all'animazione missionaria tra i giovani con zelo e successo. Avvicinava i giovani con fare scherzoso conquistandone la fiducia. Diceva ad alcuni: "Olà, voi pipistrelli perché state pipistrellando?”. Voleva dire: aprite gli occhi! A un altro diceva: "Vieni con noi a portare Dio nel mondo, e il mondo avrà più amore".
Per realizzare meglio la sua vocazione chiese d'essere inviato in Africa, nella missione del Camerun. La domanda fu accettata.
Le sue speranze furono troncate nella tragica mattinata del 29 ot-tobre 1990. Viaggiava in macchina verso Campinas col p.Gerson, per una riunione d'animatori vocazionali, quando un camion, facendo un sorpasso imprudente, li investì frontalmente. La loro macchina si trasformò in un rogo nel quale restarono carbonizzati.
Grande folla di fedeli, con molti sacerdoti e l'arcivescovo di Londrina resero omaggio alle salme.
Il p . Wagner è sepolto nella sua città nativa.
Fr. Wagner Santos (dos)
Maringà - Paranà (Brasile), 1 giugno 1951
Campinas - SP, (Brasile), 29 ottobre 1990
Fr. Wagner Dos Santos died in a tragic car accident on Oct. 29 1990, near Campinas (Sâo Paolo – Brazil). With him was Gerson Galvino. An oncoming truck struck them frontally, and the car caught fire. Fr. Wagner was 39 years old, born at Maringà (PR – Brazil) on June 1 1951.
He entered the Xaverians at age 27, at Londrina in 1978, after studies at Maringà and worked in the Plenogas factory. The interest of the spiritual life of his own classmates and co-workers gave him the desire to dedicate himself for the Reign of God.
After the Novitiate at Nova Era, he professed religious vows on Feb. 5 1982, and was ordained priest on Oct. 19 1985.
He worked exclusively in the missionary animation field among the young people, with much zeal and success. Through his jokes, teasing, and youthfulness, he would conquer their trust and love. One of his phrases was “Come with us to bring God to the world, and the world will live with more love.”
Fr. Gerson spoke of the ministry of Fr. Wagner: “Fr. Wagner is doing a lot of work for the Province; in fact, his activities in missionary animation are laudable, and I am sure that through his work we could easily have a few vocations in the next few years.” (Apr. 27 1988)
In order to fulfill better his vocation, he asked and was assigned to work in Cameroon. In a letter to the Provincial, he explained the reasons for his mission departure: “I have arrived to the conclusion that it is better that I would make myself available for the Xaverian congregation and let go of my service in this Province, ‘for new blood circulates better in new veins, which will have to sustain the energy of this new blood…’ And so, in this way, I put myself at your service, for what it is most necessary.” (Letter to the Provincial, Aug. 8 1990)
Unfortunately the tragic car accident precluded his mission dreams at the young age of 39 years old. A large crowd of faithful came to the funeral of both Fr. Wagner and Fr. Gerson, with many priests concelebrating together with the Archbishop of Londrina. He is buried at Maringà.
Many witnesses and written reflections of those who knew Fr. Wagner, remember often and highlight his simplicity, poverty, and independence from the things of this world. Even the confrere who took care of his belongings after his death was in awe by his witness, saying: “I knew both of them and how they live their religious vows; but I was personally amazed by the few things they had: just the necessary clothing, a few personal objects. They lived with much simplicity.”
