Arcoverde was born into a prominent family in Cimbres, province of Pernambuco, in the Northeast of Brazil. He showed an early vocation for the priesthood but the absence of local seminaries meant that he did all his studies prior to becoming a priest in Rome.
This account reveals that Arcoverde was born into a respected family in Cimbres, province of Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil. His early interest in the priesthood led him to pursue studies in Rome, as there were no local seminaries available for his training.