Regis College is a postgraduate theological college of the

University of Toronto The University of Toronto (UToronto or U of T) is a public university, public research university whose main campus is located on the grounds that surround Queen's Park (Toronto), Queen's Park in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was founded by ...

located at the St. George campus in

Toronto Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...

Ontario Ontario is the southernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Located in Central Canada, Ontario is the Population of Canada by province and territory, country's most populous province. As of the 2021 Canadian census, it ...

, Canada. Founded in 1930, it is the

Jesuit The Society of Jesus (; abbreviation: S.J. or SJ), also known as the Jesuit Order or the Jesuits ( ; ), is a religious order (Catholic), religious order of clerics regular of pontifical right for men in the Catholic Church headquartered in Rom ...

school of theology in Canada and a member institution of the

Toronto School of Theology Affiliated with the University of Toronto, the Toronto School of Theology (TST) is an Ecumenism, ecumenical consortium of seven Seminary, theological colleges. Its seven member schools are Emmanuel College, Toronto, Emmanuel College, Knox College, ...

History

Foundation

Regis College began as the

philosophy college at 403 Wellington Street in downtown

in September 1930 (after Loretto Abbey left in 1927). It then offered philosophy programmes to

scholastics preparing for priesthood. It was in 1943 that the programme of offerings was expanded to include theology. In 1954, the Jesuit seminary was formally named Collegium Christi Regis, The College of Christ the King. In 1956 Regis College was accredited as a pontifical faculty (a status it retains) by becoming the School of Theology of St. Mary's University in

Halifax, Nova Scotia Halifax is the capital and most populous municipality of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Nova Scotia, and the most populous municipality in Atlantic Canada. As of 2024, it is estimated that the population of the H ...

and thus became able to offer ecclesiastical degrees in theology.

Bayview Avenue site

In 1961, the college moved to a new site on

Bayview Avenue Bayview Avenue is a major north–south route in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario. North of Toronto, in Regional Municipality of York, York Region, Bayview is designated as List of numbered roads in York Region, York Regional Road 34. It is 46 ...

Willowdale, Toronto Willowdale is a neighbourhood in the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, located in the district and former township of North York. It developed from three postal villages: Newtonbrook, Willowdale and Lansing. Willowdale began as a postal villag ...

. There, it taught exclusively theology. The 40-acre site, was offered to the Jesuits as a location for the college by the

Sisters of St. Joseph The Sisters of St. Joseph, also known as the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph, abbreviated CSJ or SSJ, is a Catholic religious congregation of women founded in Le Puy-en-Velay, France, in 1650. This congregation, named for Saint Jo ...

in 1958. In 1969, Regis College was one of the founding colleges of the

. Within its own federation, the University of Toronto granted all but the theology or divinity degrees. In 1970, the college joined the

Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS) is an organization of seminaries and other graduate schools of theology. ATS has its headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. History The ATS was found ...

. Membership was granted in 1980, and renewed in 2001 and 2011.

St. Mary Street site

In 1976, the college moved to St. Mary Street in

Downtown Toronto Downtown Toronto is the main city centre of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Located entirely within the district of Old Toronto, it is approximately 16.6 square kilometres in area, bounded by Bloor Street to the northeast and Dupont Street to the nor ...

, close to its present site. The Bayview site was sold to Ontario Bible College, which became the

Tyndale University College and Seminary Tyndale University is a Canadian Private university, private Interdenominationalism, interdenominational Evangelicalism, evangelical Christian university in Toronto, Ontario, which offers undergraduate and graduate programs. Tyndale students co ...

in 2003. That year, it admitted its first non-Jesuit students. Since 1978, by virtue of a change made in its charter, the University of Toronto has granted theology degrees conjointly with Regis College. Regis College became a federated college of the University of Toronto. This arrangement was renewed for a further ten years in 2004.

Present location

In August 2008, Regis College agreed to move to Christie House, on the corner of Wellesley Street and Queen's Park. It was formerly a female residence building for St. Michael's College administered by the

who ran

St. Joseph's College School St. Joseph's College School (St. Joseph's College, SJCS, or St. Joe's, more colloquially known as St. Joe's Wellesley), originally known as St. Joseph's Academy for Young Ladies is a girls' Catholic high school in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada ...

next door. The

bought the site from the Sisters of St. Joseph and leases it to the college. Construction started to make the house suitable for the college in time for the start of the academic year in September 2009. As part of the leasing agreement with the university, the half of the building closest to the school was converted so that it could be used by the university's Faculty of Music. The building is located opposite the

Parliament of Ontario The Legislative Assembly of Ontario (OLA; ) is the legislative chamber of the Canadian province of Ontario. Its elected members are known as Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs). Bills passed by the Legislative Assembly are given royal ass ...

. It is to the south of St. Michael's College and is next to buildings that previously housed the offices of

Marshall McLuhan Herbert Marshall McLuhan (, ; July 21, 1911 – December 31, 1980) was a Canadian philosopher whose work is among the cornerstones of the study of media studies, media theory. Raised in Winnipeg, McLuhan studied at the University of Manitoba a ...

. The building itself was the former home of

William Mellis Christie William Mellis Christie (5 January 1829 – 14 June 1900) is the namesake for the Canadian Mr. Christie brand of cookies and biscuits, owned by Mondelez International. Christie was born in Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, the only child of John ...

and after his death it was the residence of his son Robert Jaffrey Christie.

Academics

In the traditions of Jesuit spirituality, scholarship and service, Regis College promotes an integrated spirituality that emphasizes justice, critical dialogue and academic pursuits. As per all Jesuit institutions, it remains grounded in the concept of ''

ad maiorem Dei gloriam ''Ad maiorem Dei gloriam'' or ''Ad majórem Dei glóriam'', also rendered as the abbreviation AMDG, is a Latin language, Latin quote which can be translated as "For the greater glory of God." It has been used as a rallying cry for Catholics thr ...

'', for the greater glory of God. Regis College confers three major types of theological degrees: basic degree programmes, graduate degree programmes, and ecclesiastical degrees. Civil degrees are awarded conjointly by Regis College and the

and ecclesiastical degrees are awarded solely by Regis College.

Civil degrees

* ''Basic degree programmes'' **

Master of Theological Studies The Master of Arts (MA) in a religious discipline is a graduate degree, offered in seminary or other graduate school, which gives students a basic understanding in theological disciplines. It is often pursued by individuals interested in academi ...

(MTS) *** First Studies stream *** Integrating Studies stream *** Theology, Spirituality, and the Arts Stream **

Master of Arts A Master of Arts ( or ''Artium Magister''; abbreviated MA or AM) is the holder of a master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is usually contrasted with that of Master of Science. Those admitted to the degree have ...

in Ministry and Spirituality (MA in MS) *** The Pastoral Praxis stream *** The Ministry of Spiritual Direction stream **

Master of Divinity For graduate-level theological institutions, the Master of Divinity (MDiv, ''magister divinitatis'' in Latin) is the first professional degree of the pastoral profession in North America. It is the most common academic degree in seminaries and ...

(M.Div.) * ''Graduate degree programmes'' **

Master of Arts in Theological Studies The Master of Arts (MA) in a religious discipline is a graduate degree, offered in seminary or other graduate school, which gives students a basic understanding in theological disciplines. It is often pursued by individuals interested in academi ...

(MA) *** M.A. Option I stream (master's research paper) *** M.A. Option II stream (course-only option) **

Master of Theology Master of Theology (, abbreviated ThM, MTh or MTheol, or ''Sacrae Theologiae Magister''; abbreviated STM) is a post-graduate degree offered by universities, divinity schools, and seminaries. It can serve as a transition degree for entrance into a ...

(ThM) *** Th.M. Option I stream (for admission to Ph.D.) *** Th.M. Option II stream (terminal, with no admission to Ph.D.) **

Doctor of Ministry The Doctor of Ministry (DMin) is a doctorate in religious ministry. It often includes an original research component, and may be earned by a minister of religion while concurrently engaged in ministry. It is categorized as an advanced doctoral de ...

(DMin) **

Doctor of Philosophy A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD, DPhil; or ) is a terminal degree that usually denotes the highest level of academic achievement in a given discipline and is awarded following a course of Postgraduate education, graduate study and original resear ...

in Theological Studies (Ph.D.)

Ecclesiastical degrees

*''Basic degree programmes'' **

Bachelor of Sacred Theology The Bachelor of Sacred Theology (abbreviated STB) is the first of three ecclesiastical degrees in theology (the second being the Licentiate in Sacred Theology and the third being the Doctorate in Sacred Theology) which are conferred by a number o ...

(STB) *''Graduate degree programmes'' **

Licentiate of Sacred Theology Licentiate in Sacred Theology (; abbreviated LTh or STL) is the second of three ecclesiastical degrees in theology (the first being the Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology and the third being the Doctorate in Sacred Theology) which are conferred ...

(STL) **

Doctor of Sacred Theology The Doctor of Sacred Theology (, abbreviated STD), also sometimes known as Professor of Sacred Theology (, abbreviated STP), is the final theological degree in the pontifical university system of the Catholic Church, being the ecclesiastical equ ...

(STD)

Notable faculty and alumni

Michael Czerny Michael Felix Czerny (born 18 July 1946) is a Czech-born Canadian Catholic prelate who has served as prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development since 2022. He was under secretary of the dicastery's Migrants and Refugees ...

, SJ, Czech-Canadian cardinal-prefect of the

Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development () is a dicastery of the Roman curia. The Vatican announced the creation of the dicastery on 31 August 2016 and it became effective 1 January 2017. Cardinal Peter Turkson was named its fi ...

* Frederick Crowe, SJ, philosopher and theologian *

Robert M. Doran Robert Michael Doran (20 June 1939 – 21 January 2021) was an American-Canadian Jesuit priest, and theologian, and Emmett Doerr Chair in Catholic Systematic Theology at Marquette University. He was known for his research on the works of the Jesu ...

, SJ, philosopher and theologian *

Charles Falzon Charles John Falzon (born August 1957) is a Canadian entertainment executive, educator and university administrator, currently serving as Dean of The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He has produced ne ...

, dean of The Creative School at

Toronto Metropolitan University Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU, or Toronto Met), formerly Ryerson University, is a Public university, public research university located in Toronto, Canada. The university's core campus is situated within the Garden District, Toronto, Gar ...

* Gill Goulding, CJ, theologian and papally-appointed expert for the October 2012 13th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the New

Evangelization Evangelism, or witnessing, is the act of sharing the Christian gospel, the message and teachings of Jesus Christ. It is typically done with the intention of converting others to Christianity. Evangelism can take several forms, such as persona ...

* Michael Kolarcik, SJ, biblical scholar, current rector of the

Pontifical Biblical Institute The Pontifical Biblical Institute (also known as Biblicum) is a research and postgraduate teaching institution specialised in biblical and ancient Near Eastern studies located in Rome. Founded in 1909 by Pope Pius X, it is an institution of the ...

* Mary Jo Leddy, writer, activist and

social critic Social criticism is a form of academic or journalistic criticism focusing on social issues in contemporary society, in respect to perceived injustices and power relations in general. Social criticism of the Enlightenment The origin of modern ...

* Mark Lewis, SJ, church historian, current rector of the

Pontifical Gregorian University Pontifical Gregorian University (; also known as the Gregorian or Gregoriana), is a private university, private pontifical university in Rome, Italy. The Gregorian originated as a part of the Roman College, founded in 1551 by Ignatius of Loyo ...

Bernard Lonergan Bernard Joseph Francis Lonergan (17 December 1904 – 26 November 1984) was a Canadians, Canadian Jesuit priest, philosophy, philosopher, and theology, theologian, regarded by many as one of the most important thinkers of the 20th century. Lone ...

, SJ, (1904–1984), philosopher, theologian, and economist *

Jacques Monet Jacques Monet, SJ (January 26, 1930 – May 14, 2024) was a Canadian historian and Catholic priest. He was a member of the Society of Jesus. Biography Born in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, Monet joined the Society of Jesus in 1949 and w ...

, SJ, (1930 –2024), historian *David Nazar, SJ, theologian, former provincial of the Society of Jesus in English Canada, former superior of the Society of Jesus in Ukraine, current rector of the

Pontifical Oriental Institute The Pontifical Oriental Institute, also known as the Orientale, is a Catholic institution of higher education located in Rome and focusing on Eastern Christianity. The plan of creating a school of higher learning for Eastern Christianity had bee ...

* John Navone, SJ, theologian, author, educator, professor emeritus of

Biblical theology Because scholars have tended to use the term in different ways, Biblical theology has been notoriously difficult to define. The academic field of biblical theology is sub-divided into Old Testament theology and New Testament theology. Academic ...

at the

in Rome

Honor society

The Jesuit Honor Society's chapter of

Alpha Sigma Nu Alpha Sigma Nu () is the honor society of Jesuit colleges and universities. Founded in 1915 at Marquette University as Alpha Sigma Tau, it adopted the current name in 1930. The society is open to both men and women of every academic discipline ...

was established at Regis College in 2000.

Gallery

File:Regis College, Toronto west side.JPG, West side File:Regis College, Toronto north side.JPG, North side File:Regis College, Toronto main entrance.JPG, Main entrance File:Statue of Christ the Homeless, Regis College, Toronto.JPG, Jesus the Homeless outside entrance File:Regis College, Toronto Solarium.JPG, Solarium File:Regis College, Toronto main hallway.JPG, Main hallway File:Main staircase in Regis College, Toronto.JPG, Main staircase File:Domed window, Regis College, Toronto.JPG, Window at the top of the staircase

In film and TV

Regis College is a popular location for films and TV series and has been used in the past by various film and television production companies. For example: * ''

Ice Princess ''Ice Princess'' is a 2005 American teen sports comedy-drama film directed by Tim Fywell, written by Hadley Davis from a story by '' Princess Diaries'' creator Meg Cabot and Davis. It stars Joan Cusack, Kim Cattrall, Michelle Trachtenberg an ...

'' – 2005 * '' Who Is Clark Rockefeller?'' – November 2009 * ''

Sherlock Holmes Sherlock Holmes () is a Detective fiction, fictional detective created by British author Arthur Conan Doyle. Referring to himself as a "Private investigator, consulting detective" in his stories, Holmes is known for his proficiency with obser ...

'' – December 2009 * '' The Kennedys'' – July 2010 * '' Skins'' – August 2010 * ''

Warehouse 13 ''Warehouse 13'' is an American science fiction television series that originally ran from July 7, 2009, to May 19, 2014, on the Syfy network, and was executively produced by Jack Kenny and David Simkins for Universal Cable Productions. Des ...

'' – September 2010 * ''

Perception Perception () is the organization, identification, and interpretation of sensory information in order to represent and understand the presented information or environment. All perception involves signals that go through the nervous syste ...

'' (TV pilot) – December 2010 * '' Nurse 3D'' – September 2011 * ''

Covert Affairs ''Covert Affairs'' is an American action drama television series filmed in Toronto, Canada, starring Piper Perabo and Christopher Gorham that premiered on Tuesday, July 13, 2010. On January 6, 2015, USA Network canceled ''Covert Affairs'' afte ...

'' – August 2012 * ''

Lost Girl ''Lost Girl'' is a Canadian supernatural drama television series that premiered on Showcase on September 12, 2010, and ran for five seasons. It follows the life of a bisexual succubus named Bo, played by Anna Silk, as she learns to control ...

'' – August 2014 * '' Pay the Ghost'' – August 2014

References

Citations

Bibliography

External links

*
Lonergan Research Institute, Regis College

Robert M. Doran's Website

{{DEFAULTSORT:Regis College, University Of Toronto Colleges of the University of Toronto Toronto, Regis College Universities and colleges established in 1930 1930 establishments in Ontario