ɪn wˈʌn θˈaʊzənd ˈeɪthˈʌndɹɪd fˈɪfti tˈuː, sˈeɪvlbɜːɡ wʌz mˌeɪd pɹˈiːst, hɪz fˈɜːst tˈæsk wʌz æz ɐ tˈiːtʃɚɹ æt ðə baɪskˈɑːpɪlˌeɪk kˈɑːlɪdʒ ɪn ɹˈoʊɚmənd wˈʌn θˈaʊzənd ˈeɪthˈʌndɹɪd fˈɪfti θɹˈiː wˈʌn θˈaʊzənd ˈeɪthˈʌndɹɪd fˈɪfti sˈɪks.
In 1852, Savelberg was made priest, his first task was as a teacher at the Bischoppelijk College in Roermond (1853–1856).