Patron of Peace and Prosperity
For over 300 years, St. Augustine has been the Patron Saint of Cagayan de Oro City and protector of Kagay-anons against pirates and natural calamities. The city naturally radiates from the cathedral named after him, which used to be the center of the town’s activities. Kagay-anons honor their patron by celebrating his feast day on the spirit of thanksgiving for their continued peace and prosperity.
Born of pagan parents on November 3, 354 A.D., Saint Augustine of Hippo (born Aurelius Augustinus), had been a seeker of the truth since he was 18. His early prejudice against Catholic teachings was shaken when he met the Christian intellectual St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan. This marked the turning point from his early belief that the Catholic Church was not for men of culture like himself. From then on, St. Augustine proclaimed God as “the author of all existence, the illuminator of truth, the bestower of all beatitude.”
Peace and happiness should be the universal end of all humanity, according to St. Augustine, Patron Saint of Cagayan de Oro City. Truly, the very same ideals shared by the early settlers and the present-day citizens of this City of Golden Friendship.
Legend tells us of the time when a large band of Moro pirates laid siege to Cagayan de Oro. The Christian settlers retreated to the convent which was fortified with a palisade of tree trunks and a watchtower. However, when the pirates were about to disembark, both the attackers and defenders noticed a great light coming from the church although no one was there. The pirates immediately retreated and seemed greatly afraid of something and the settlers rejoiced.
The following night, the pirates came back in larger numbers and were about to disembark for their attack when again, the bright light again shone from the church. The settlers noticed the pirates retreated in wild disarray as if in great fear of something and were never heard of again.
Some time after, on of those pirates together with a Christian friend happened to pass by the church and he grew terrified upon beholding the image of St. Augustine. It seemed that this was the very same man they saw brandishing a sword with a great light about him which caused their retreat. (As recounted by Mrs. Victoria Saarenas to Mrs. Feliza S. Labis and translated by Mediatriz Ecoben).
