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| Fr Urban Stein, SJ |
In Fr Urban Stein we have yet another pioneer of our Province. He was one of "The Nine", and like Fr Mutti had a short life of 43 years, and just 10 of these he spent in Mangalore. Having literally fulfilled a long space in a short time he left for his eternal reward.
Early Life
Fr stein was born at Cologne on the Rhine, 12th August, 1845. After his boyhood studies he entered the Society of Jesus at the early age of 17, on 30th September 1862. After his Novitiate and Philosophy and a little teaching work in Germany, he came to India as a Scholastic with Bishop Meurin of Bombay. In 1876, after his theological studies, he was ordained in Bombay. For two years he taught at St Xavier's and when in 1878 the Mangalore territory was given to the Jesuits, he left Bombay for Mangalore with Fr Pagani (later the first Bishop of Mangalore) and Fr Otto Ehrle. The three joined the six who had come from Italy for the Mangalore Mission.
Arrival in Mangalore
"The Jesuits arrived and were all activity. They immediately set themselves to the first and foremost duty of every priest-the work for souls, the spiritual welfare of their flock. Out of the six Fathers we find four devoting themselves to parochial work." So wrote one of the early writers of the Province. And one of the four was Fr Urban Stein. He was the first Jesuit Parish Priest of the Cathedral. And a parish priest he was 'par excellence' for all the ten years till his death on 21st October 1888.
Takes up the Parish
The Young Parish Priest, 34 years of age, took the Parish by storm in his energetic zeal and pastoral fervour. How one wishes there was an elderly experienced guide to keep a restraining hand on the activity of persons like Fr Mutti and Fr Stein! Perhaps a longer life would have been theirs. But then all were equally new to the soil and climate of India and equally athirst to do a lot in a short time. So, the young Vicar launched himself into a life of activity. In modern terminology he turned a revolutionary, but a revolutionary for God and in God's interest. He set firmly to tone up the spiritual life of his parishioners. With this end in view, he began a zealous propaganda to promote the frequentation of the sacrament of Penance and Holy Communion. The people responded with equal fervour to monthly Communion and even a monthly 'Communion Day' soon became a regular custom not only in the Cathedral Parish which at the time extended over five times the present area, but in the Diocese itself. A full day of adoration on the Sunday preceding the Parish Feast, which till recently was part of the parish spiritual life, owes its origin to Fr Stein.
"And his service was not a lip service" wrote a parishioner. He was an example to his flock. His faith in and devotion towards the Blessed Sacrament was heroic indeed and he spared no effort by word and deed to spread it. The sick and the aged were regularly visited by him and received their Lord from his hands. And we read in the few notes extant on his life that once when a patient had thrown up after Holy Communion, his heroism rose to the occasion. He quickly asked for a glass and did what we read of in the lives of Saints.
Next to his love of Jesus in the Bl. Sacrament came Fr Stein's tender devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He lost no time to take in hand the establishment of the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary which had so successfully helped young men and women in Europe to lead Christian lives. Within three months after their arrival the Jesuits established the Sodality in Mangalore and Fr Stein was the man to do it. He prepared the way by a series of conferences in February and March, 1879, in which he explained the nature, scope and benefits of the Institution. The conferences were held in the Codialbail Chapel, at the Bishop's House. In the same year the Sodality was canonically erected under the title of the Immaculate Conception and the patronage of St Ignatius of Loyola. The diploma aggregating the Sodality to the Prima Primaria in Rome has been signed by the General of the Jesuits, the very Rev Peter Beckx on September 3, 1879. The sodality which was once known as the Gentlemen's Sodality is still in existence at the Bishop's chapel in Codialbail. In fact, it was the Cathedral sodality located at the Bishop's House chapel, not only because the Cathedral is the Bishop's Parish but also for the fact that the area was at that time under the Cathedral Parish. This was the first Sodality in the diocese. Other sodalities for different age groups followed. The amount of good the sodalities have done through the Centenary in the Diocese can form a subject of study worth the time and labour it may involve. It is much beyond the scope of this biography.
Other Interests
Besides the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary for men Fr Stein established the congregation of the Sacred Heart, the Society of St Joseph for tailors and the Sodality of the Children of Mary for girls. He was responsible for the starting of a semi-religious congregation of pious women. They came to be known as the Ursulines. They took the vow of chastity and promised to observe a few rules and regulations pertaining to a kind of common life. The twofold object Fr Stein had in establishing this pious congregation was 1) to help a few ladies to lead a higher Christian life and 2) to have a few helpers at the disposal of the parish priest in his work. His zeal had an eye to help all, and it is interesting to note that both age and profession were taken into account in the establishment of these associations.
After the example of St Ignatius and his first companions who had begun their spiritual work for souls by taking to the teaching of Christian doctrine, these Jesuits too set to organize catechetical courses. Fr Stein organized his parishioners in groups for the regular teaching of Christian doctrine, again age-wise, profession-wise and, if we may coin a word, knowledge-wise too. "His special apostolate was to teach Catechism to the young and the ignorant. He taught us the fundamental truths", remarked one of his parishioners. Seeing the need of education, he gave full support and helped the organization of schools in the Parish, especially those run by the Carmelite Sisters. The schools, according to the testimony of Lord Commenara who visited them, were the best in the Presidency for their efficient and organized education.
Fr Urban Stein's zeal, sense of duty and self-sacrificing humility won the hearts of his parishioners. They whole heartedly co-operated with him in his work. They helped him to enlarge the church and make it more attractive and impressive. He had an eye for everything that enhanced the beauty of God's House and helped piety. Minute observance of rubrics and other liturgical regulations, music, altar boys' soutanes, spotless cleanliness and pleasing flowers-all had their rightful place.
Last Days
In human eyes perhaps it was tragic that such an energetic, able and beloved-of-parishioners Vicar should have died so young, in his 44th year. "But my ways are not your ways", says the Lord. And he is Lord and Master of life and death. Fr stein's last days, his death and the funeral amply bear witness to the genuine Jesuit priest in him and the affection with which he was held by his parishioners. Here is a letter written from Mangalore after his death, giving a few particulars.
MANGALORE, 2 NOV. 1888
The Rev. Fr Urban Stein had been sent by his bishop, Dr Pagani to Goa about the 26th September. He was putting up at Bom Jesu in the old Casa Professa of the Society of Jesus. From here he had written a cheerful letter to Bombay. Having successfully accomplished his errand at Goa, he wished to return at once, as it was of the utmost importance that he should reach Mangalore soon. As there was no steamer touching at Pangim he decided on returning in a small sailing boat. Trusting entirely in God he set sail to reach Mangalore in three or four days. Though the breeze was favourable the heat and other inconveniences of the voyage were too much even for a strong constitution like his. He had a sun stroke and when he reached Mangalore, as Fr Hoene narrates, he was scarcely able to speak and stand on his legs. He had high fever. A day of rest under careful attention gave him some relief, which enabled him to give an account of his mission to Goa. After that his fever rose to 105 degrees. On 20th he said to Fr Rector: "I must prepare for death. I am sure our Blessed Lady of the Holy Rosary (Patroness of the Cathedral) will take me this time. I want to make my confession and receive Holy Viaticum" He made his confession but was induced to wait for Holy Communion till the morning of the following day. He obeyed. Fr Rector and Fr Kemp watched by his bedside the whole night. They were very much edified. The good Father spent the whole night in prayer, reciting some prayers mostly in Latin, sometimes in English or Konkani. At 2 a.m. he received Holy Communion. I was with him the whole morning. At 11 a.m. the doctor came to see him. The doctor thought he was not sufficiently covered and added further covering lest he should catch a cold. This was too much for him. He perspired profusely and first pushed aside the covering a little. But immediately pulled up the coverlet, asking pardon of the doctor for his disobedience. From then on, he repeatedly said some ejaculatory prayer, often asking pardon of God for his sins, saying with a smile: "That is best of all, I am sure to obtain pardon". Fr Rector, Fr Kemp and myself kept watch over him. He was asked whether he would not like to receive Extreme Unction. "Oh yes, by all means, I think it is time", he said! The community assembled, with his Lordship the Bishop and Fr Superior present. It was most edifying. He answered all the prayers distinctly, asked pardon of all, renewed his religious vows. He attempted to kiss the five wounds on his Crucifix but could not. He asked us to recite five times the Our Father and Hail Mary in honour of the five sacred wounds. He requested one of us ask the children to pray for him. After a few ejaculatory prayers he seemed to lose consciousness and two hours later, at 4.30 p.m., after a weak breath his soul was gone to hear, no doubt, from his Master the welcome words 'Euge serve bone! Well done, good and faithful servant'.
In a short biographical sketch, a long account of one's death may seem out of place. But it is certainly rewarding to call to mind how one of our own died, our own first Vicar of the Cathedral, and on our own soil. The Obituary Notes of our Province record not a few other deaths equally heroic and serene which should be a source of joy and encouragement to us.
Here is an account of his funeral, equally consoling and which gives us an idea of the affectionate place Fr Stein had in the hearts of his people.
"The news of Fr Stein's death spread immediately. And after a quarter of an hour hundreds of our Catholics flocked to the College. Many wept; the body was carried over to the Cathedral late in the evening. The Catholic gentry disputed with one another for the honour of bearing his remains. When we reached the lines of the Native- soldiers, the Catholics amongst them came forth and eagerly asked for the privilege of being allowed to carry the body for a while. The following morning, Monday, at eight o'clock we had solemn Pontifical Requiem; the church and its surroundings were crowded with people and, from what I hear, both before the Mass from an early hour and after Mass the whole day through, the people crowded round the bier, all anxious to have a last look at what remained of their beloved Pastor and to kiss once more his feet. Loud sobbing was heard all over the church, not an eye remained dry. At three o'clock the Office of the dead began; after Matins there was a short funeral oration in Konkani by Fr Frachetti, the assistant Vicar of the Cathedral and then, whilst Lauds were beginning the funeral procession was formed. The concourse was immense: without any exaggeration, I may say, there were at least from 5,000 to 6,000 people. Others say that 6,000 is below the actual number. The fact is, it was impossible to see, at any given point of the road along which the procession passed, the two ends of the procession. It lasted from 4.30 to about 7 p.m. And all was spontaneous, all done by the people, and the people alone without even the least suggestion on the part of the ecclesiastical authorities. And all was most orderly, the procession recited the Rosary, sang Litanies, hymns to the Blessed Virgin Mary, etc. All classes were there, men and women, young and old, rich and poor. Were it not for the deep grief that was visible on every face, one might have called the whole a triumphal march. The Colonel of the Native Regiment had issued orders to the whole band and all the Catholic soldiers to be present in full dress. This he did on his own accord when a Catholic gentleman asked him to allow the Catholic bandsmen to play in the procession".
Good Father Stein never dreamt that so much honour would be shown to him. (His piety and deep humility showed itself to perfection during the few days of his illness. In his own eyes he was nothing but a poor sinner, but one who had an unlimited confidence in the infinite bounty of his Redeemer and the loving mercy of our Blessed Lady; his whole happiness consisted in this confidence and the consoling thought that he died a religious of the Society of Jesus.) After the funeral Father Stein was buried in the sanctuary of the Cathedral in front of the high altar, the catholic gentry waited upon his Lordship and the Fathers, and in a few touching words Mr. Salvador Britto expressed in the name of the Catholic community his condolence at the loss we and they themselves had incurred by the death of Father Stein, dwelling at some length on the excellent qualities of the good Father and their parish priest. "I can assure you", writes Fr Hoene, "I have never in my life witnessed such genuine grief on the part of so many thousands. It was indeed a consoling reward for our labours here".
What he did here during the last ten years of his earthly career needs no commentary. It is written in the hearts of those for whom he sacrificed himself and in the Book of Life.
This above material is taken from the book "Restless for Christ - Lives of Select Jesuits who toiled in the Karnataka Province" Series - II
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