The influence of Father Urios

Fr. Saturnino Urios, SJ, after whom a university he founded in Butuan was named, was born in 1843 in Valencia, Spain, during a time of significant religious and political upheaval in Europe. A man of deep faith and academic rigor, he entered the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and later responded to the call of missionary work in the Philippines, then a Spanish colony.

In 1874, Fr. Urios arrived in the Philippines and was assigned to Mindanao, specifically to the northeastern region encompassing present-day Agusan and Surigao provinces. At that time, these areas were largely untouched by Spanish colonial administration and Christianization. The indigenous peoples, including the Manobo, Higaonon, and Mamanwa, lived in remote communities, many of whom were wary of outside influence. It was only on September 15, 1892, that he arrived in Davao, his new assignment. The trip to the region, according to his letter, was terrible, as he and his confreres had to endure the stormy China Sea. Joining him in Davao were Fr. Manuel Rosell from Zamboanga, Bro. Luis Ferrerons from Cotabato, Fr. Juan B. Llopart from Mati, and Fr. Manuel Valle from Glan. His first impression of Davao was heartwarming.

“We found Ours and the Spanish community in Davao most accommodating, overwhelming us with their warm welcome. After a few days in the district capital, I naturally needed to go out and be acquainted with my missions outside of Davao. With Fr. Valles, who has been here for a full year, as my companion, I then headed south, stopping two days at each settlement along the way: Matina, Taumo (Talomo), Bago, Daliao, Tagulaya, Astorga, and Santa Cruz, all founded by Fr. [Mateo] Gisbert. In them, our missionaries had worked hard successfully. The administration of these places is both Christian and pagan. In all, progress is made by the old Christians and the resettled pagan chiefs who have helped the missionary in erecting settlements near farms, estates, and other similar sources of livelihood.”

With linguistic skill, cultural sensitivity, and unwavering dedication, Fr. Urios became a central figure in the peaceful Christian evangelization of the region. He learned local dialects and established enduring relationships with tribal leaders. Unlike other colonial agents of his time, he was known for his gentle methods of persuasion and his deep respect for indigenous traditions and social structures.

Beyond his ecclesial and pastoral obligations, Fr. Urios opened new reductions, many of them situated along the eastern seaboard. He appointed village chiefs to guide the new settlements, endured the painful experience of seeing organized communities depopulated due to Moro incursions, and went the extra mile to resolve intra-tribal conflicts. He pursued peace at great cost. The threats did not shake his resolve to intensify and spread the Good News.

Interestingly, many of the reductions he founded would eventually become organized towns, surviving the political challenges of their time. These villages adopted telltale patterns in town planning and would, in the decades to come, serve as models for the rise of hamlets beyond the communities originally established by the missionaries.

Over four decades of missionary work, Fr. Urios founded numerous parishes, mission stations, and schools, laying the foundation for a vibrant local Church. His educational efforts were particularly noteworthy—he believed that faith and education must go hand in hand in transforming communities. This belief ultimately led to the establishment of what is now known as Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU) in Butuan City.

Fr. Urios died in 1916, leaving behind a legacy of faith, intercultural dialogue, and education. Today, he is venerated in Caraga and remembered as the “Apostle of Agusan.” His name lives on not only in the institutions he helped build but in the lives of the many communities whose history he helped shape.