Peter Savelberg attended school in Heerlen and after that at Rolduc (1843 to 1845). Leaving his brother Balthasar Savelberg, who was in charge of a glassmaking shop in Brussels, he returned to Heerlen because he could not adjust. Between 1846 and 1849 he attended Rolduc yet again, and after 1849 he gave seminars in Roermond. In 1852, Savelberg was made priest, his first task was as a teacher at the Bisschoppelijk College in Roermond (1853–1856).