Fr Urban Stein was born in Cologne on the Rhine, called German Rome on August 21, 1845, of John Stein and Anna Elizabeth Durst. Right in his early years his pious parents left an indelible impression on him of their own simple piety and profound faith. At the devotional level his Christian life was built on a double foundation: a tender love for the Blessed Virgin and a singularly personal love for the Saviour in the Eucharist.
The boy Urban did his early studies at the Gymnasium of St Marcellus, formerly a Jesuit high School and at the age of 17 decided to join the Society of Jesus. On September 30, 1862 he joined the novitiate on the Friedrichsburg near Munster, Westphalia. His affability and refinement endeared him to all. Those who knew him well could also find in him a singleness of purpose, an unquestioning submission of himself to the demands of obedience and a burning zeal for the 'salvation of souls'. He pronounced his first vows on October 10, 1864 which was followed by further studies. He often exclaimed how privileged he would be if his Superiors thought fit to send him on foreign missions. His wish was fulfilled when on completion of his philosophical studies he was sent to Bombay, India. Urban worked incessantly combining active work with his theological studies and was ordained priest on December 22, 1876. On December 26, 1878 he came to Mangalore with the group of other Jesuits as Mangalore mission was then entrusted to the Jesuits. The youngest of the lot, hardly two years a priest, he had already proved his mettle to be entrusted with the responsibility of the largest and most important of the parishes in the vicariate - the Cathedral, dedicated to our Lady of Rosary.
Fr Stein had turned but thirty-four when he was made parish priest. Going round his parish and studying the state of affairs he did not have to wait long to realize that the neglect of spiritual life was the fountainhead of the evil in the parish. Day in and day out, using any means of contact at his disposal, he underscored the indispensability of the frequentation of the sacraments. Fr Stein's love of the Eucharist was so infectious that his flock responded with almost equal fervor. In a short period of time he brought about such a spiritual revival in his parish that it spread to other neighbouring parishes too.
He had a flock in his vast parish, with its multiple needs which must be attended to as effectively and expeditiously as possible. He needed others to join hands with him in this great task. There were a number of young Catholic ladies who on one hand unprepared to enter marital life and on the other unwilling for good reasons to enter a convent. It is to these he turned for help. His mind went back to his native city Cologne and the good work the Ursulines had been doing there. Obviously too he was conversant with the spirit and apostolate of Angela Merici realized so worthily by the Ursulines of Brescia and other places in Italy and Europe in general. Given his own Jusuit background which is apostolic through and through he started a pious association of ladies in the spirit of the Ursulines on Easter April 10, 1887.
Then the tragedy struck. His Superiors sent Fr Stein to Goa to obtain the documents and certificates from the Archbishop of Goa to pursue the case of the Padroadists who had refused to submit to the jurisdiction of the new Bishop appointed by the Propaganda namely Mgr Nicholas Maria Pagani. On his return to Mangalore he took a country boat as he could not secure a convenient ship. It was a fatal decision. His health broke down during the voyage. A relentlessly scorching and searing sun was too much for a Westerner. When he arrived in Mangalore on October 16, 1888 he was already in the jaws of death. Even to his last breath, however Fr Stein was a model of resignation and humility. He passed away on October 21, 1888, the feast of St Ursula.
