Rev. Fr. Vernon Regis S. J.

Introduction

Vernon Regis (VR) joined the College around 1954. The first thing we noticed about him was that he was extremely polite, had pleasing ways, and made friends easily. Like Aloysius Peiris who had joined a few years earlier and had chosen to be a priest, VR too appeared to be of priestly material. Our priests had the knack of infusing new blood to the College from time to time, and they invariably turned out to be 'gems'. VR soon became a hero both in the cricket field and the football field. He was a match winner both with bat and ball.

Fr. Vernon Regis S. J.

His exploits can be read here :

Read entries for 1955/56
https://sacgallehistory.blogspot.com/2022/12/highlights-of-hundred-years-at-st.html

https://sacgallememories.blogspot.com/2024/11/mohamed-anvers-recollections-as-cricket.html

Vernon Regis

We were not surprised when he decided to join the priesthood.

Career as a Jesuit Priest

Courtesy :

https://thuppahis.com/2019/03/02/jesuit-priest-extraordinary-fr-vernon-regis-s-j/

Ivan Kevitiyagala, in Daily Mirror, 2 March 2019, where the title reads “Golden jubilee celebrations of Rev. Fr. Vernon Regis”

Fr. Vernon Regis S. J.

I have great pleasure in welcoming you to the golden jubilee celebrations of Rev. Father Vernon Saturninus Panteleon Regis, who was born in Dehiwela and named Vernon because Monsignor Vernon Johnson, the Anglican Priest who became a Catholic, was passing through Ceylon at that time.

Born on July 27, 1936, his father was John Francis Regis of Diyalagoda, Maggona and his mother, Lucy Fernando of Payagala. At the age of five, Rev. Fr. Vernon was boarded at Franciscan Convent of Our Lady of Victories. He spent only two years there and went on to St. Sebastian’s College at the age of 7. Rev. Fr. Vernon was an avid cricket fan and had the distinction of captaining both the Under-14 and Under-16 teams. He played for the Combined Schools team against the Tamil Union Club and had a top score of 64 runs out of 76. When he played against Zahira College, he missed his century because he was 99 not out.

His father was keen that he should join a Jesuit School. So in 1955, he joined St. Aloysius College, Galle. In two and a half years, he captained the soccer team and scored a goal from the centre line against Mahinda College. He was made Captain of Cooreman House. Although he was elected captain of the cricket team, he declined as he was awaiting his visa for India to join the Jesuit Novitiate in Kohikode. Eventually, he ended up playing cricket for the whole season as his visa came only in July and to his great joy scored a century for St. Aloysius against Richmond College.

In August 1957, he joined the Jesuit Novitiate in Kohikode, Calicut in the State of Kerala and stayed there for two years. From there, he proceeded to Bangalore, in the State of Karnataka, for his juniorate studies for a further period of two years. He began his philosophical studies in Shembaganur at the Sacred Heart College in the State of Madras. However, he obtained his Bachelor of Arts back in Ceylon and did his regency in Galle and Batticaloa. Having completed two years there, he left for Pune in the State of Maharashtra. After four years at the Papal Athenaeum, he obtained his Bachelor of Theology; after which he was ordained at this very Cathedral on March 25, 1969, by His Lordship Dr. Anthony de Saram.

Back in Ceylon, his dreams were dashed to pieces when he found St. Aloysius College had been handed over to the government. However, he stayed in Galle and worked with the youth at the Catholic Schools Federation. He moved on to Lewella in Kandy to begin his work as a retreat master and conducted many retreats for the sisters of various congregations, including a lot of girls’ schools. In 1984, he was made chaplain of De Mazenod College, Kandana. He readily made himself available to coach the cricket teams and had the distinction of leading the school’s Under-14 into the finals where they fell short of just one run to capture the championship in the all-island trophy.

After his stay at De Mazenod, he was sent to Canada for a refresher course. While he was there, however, Rev. Fr. Vernon spent some time deliberating whether to remain a Jesuit or not. When he came back to Sri Lanka, he finally asked for a Leave of Absence from religious life. However, in 1990, he returned to Canada and was accepted by the Bishop of Calgary Diocese in the Province of Alberta. Subsequently, the Bishop of the Edmonton Diocese accepted him as a fully-fledged diocesan priest. Rev. Fr. Vernon served the Diocese of Edmonton for 23 years and in 2012, he retired and came back to Sri Lanka as a retired priest.

On his retirement, a family known to him for many years kindly gave him a plot of land in their compound to build himself a small, one-bedroom house. This is where our dear Rev. Fr. Vernon intends to end his days.

We all join in wishing you a pleasant and peaceful retirement dear Rev. Father. May the Good Lord bless and hold you always in the Palm of His Hand.

Ivan Kevitiyagala

Tribute to Fr. Vernon Regis

Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton's post

Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton

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We have received word that Fr. Vernon Regis, a retired priest of our Archdiocese, died yesterday, August 22, 2024, in Sri Lanka. 

Fr. Vernon was born on July 27, 1936, in Dehiwala, Sri Lanka. He was an avid cricket and soccer fan his entire life, which he also played in school and college. Fr. Vernon was ordained as a Jesuit Priest on March 25, 1969, at St. Mary Cathedral in Kaluwella, Galle, for the Diocese of Galle by Most Rev. Anthony de Saram, and this year marked his 55th anniversary of ordination.

Fr. Vernon served in the Diocese of Calgary from 1990 to 1995. He arrived to serve the Archdiocese of Edmonton on January 15, 1995. Fr. Vernon was Incardinated into the Archdiocese of Edmonton on February 20, 1997. He retired on January 19, 2004, and returned to Sri Lanka on May 31, 2012.

Here is a list of his pastoral assignments:
 - Associate Pastor: Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Sherwood Park from  January 1995 – August 1997
 - Pastor: Sacred Heart in Gibbons and St. Clare in Redwater from 1997 – 1999
 - Pastor:  St. Andrew in Edmonton from 1999-2000
 - Chaplain: Providence Centre from 2000 – 2001
 - Associate Pastor: St. Joseph’s Basilica from 2001 – 2002
 - Dominical Vicar: St. Agnes in Edmonton from 2002 – 2003
 - Retired from May to October 2003
 - Served as Dominical Vicar at Our Lady of Guadalupe (Spanish) Parish in Edmonton from October – December 2003
 - Served as Dominical Vicar at Nativity of Mary (Croatian) Parish from October – January 2003
 - Retired permanently in January 2004

We sincerely thank his family and friends who have cared for Fr. Vernon these past years. 

As is our tradition, please pray for the soul of Fr. Vernon and offer the customary three masses for the repose of his soul.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. Let perpetual light shine upon him.

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Jacqueline Kofoed

Rest in the Peace of Christ our Lord

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Leizel Lucero Malbog - Cuyos

May you rest in peace, Fr. Vernon.

Estelle Davison

My son’s favorite! Called him the chocolate priest

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Gayle Nolin

So sorry for the familys loss, condolences to all who knew him. RIP Father. May God grant him eternal rest and peace

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Glenda M Williams

Condolances to his family & friends. He also did many masses at St Anthony’s parish. He started the most wonderful tradition at the end of mass where all are encouraged to bless everyone with a birthday or anniversary that Sunday or the coming week.