Guido Schaffer died at the age of 34 in 2009 after injuring his neck while surfing at the famous Barra da Tijuca beach.
Now a nihil obstat or "no objection" document has been issued by the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro that could eventually see him become a saint.
He trained as a doctor and volunteered at a local hospital before deciding to become a priest.
In a statement the Archdiocese said: "Guido is remembered with much affection by teachers and apprentices at the St Joseph Seminary, where he studied theology.
"His story has increasingly inspired other young people to follow the path of holiness without stopping to enjoy the things of youth".
Catholic officials will now look into his life and decide if he was holy enough to make it to the next stage of the process towards sainthood.
