St. Jerome’s University is formally taking its place among Jesuit institutes of higher learning.

By signing an Ignatian Endorsement Agreement today, the Catholic university federated with the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ont., is recognizing its relationship with the Jesuits of Canada. It’s an important new chapter for St. Jerome’s as its strengthens its Catholic mission and identity.

The new agreement with the Jesuits builds on the school’s 161-year legacy established by the Congregation of the Resurrection, whose commitment to the transformative power of education still animates St. Jerome’s mission. That legacy was enhanced in 1962 when the School Sisters of Notre Dame joined the Resurrectionists on the University of Waterloo campus, expanding opportunities for women’s higher education.

Advertisement

The agreement reflects the complementary strengths of each of these traditions.

“The Ignition Endorsement Agreement is an important milestone for St. Jerome’s University,” said Dr. Peter Meehan, president and vice chancellor. “It brings the wisdom of the Jesuit educational tradition into our mission and strengthens our commitment to forming graduates who will lead with competence, conscience, compassion and a commitment to the common good.”

Today’s announcement, on the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, holds special significance for the Jesuits and its global network of schools, colleges and universities. St. Ignatius understood education as a transformative encounter to form the mind, heart and character of students.

Advertisement

“The Jesuits of Canada are proud to endorse St. Jerome’s University,” said Fr. Jeffrey Burrell, SJ, provincial superior of the Jesuits of Canada. “We believe this new relationship recognizes the strong alignment between its educational mission and our apostolic vision. We commit to fostering academic excellence, promoting faith and forming leaders to serve as agents of reconciliation. The university is well positioned to deepen its commitment to justice and the common good. We are honoured to be part of that journey.”

The Resurrectionists and the Notre Dame Sisters each welcomed this new partnership with the Jesuits.

"Since the founding of the Congregation of the Resurrection in 1836, the Jesuits have been trusted companions in helping Resurrectionists and our lay associates live out our charism of hope and new life,” said Fr. Toby Collins, C.R., the Resurrectionists’ provincial superior. “We are grateful for this enduring relationship and are excited to see it take new form through the Jesuits' partnership with St. Jerome's University."

“The School Sisters of Notre Dame, co-creators with the Congregation of the Resurrection of the charism of St. Jerome's, gratefully witness to the flourishing of higher education on the campus of St. Jerome's and beyond. We welcome the Jesuit charism of higher education to further shape the mission and future of St. Jerome’s,” said Sr. Nancy Gilchriest, SSND, provincial leader of the Athletic-Midwest Province.

Advertisement

St. Jerome’s will welcome Fr. Sami Helewa, SJ, as its first Jesuit in Residence. Helewa is a former president to Campion College, the Jesuit college at the University of Regina.

Other Jesuit colleges in Canada include Regis College in Toronto and St. Paul’s College in Winnipeg. A number of high schools and middle schools also operate under the direction of the Jesuits of Canada: Loyola High School in Montreal, St. Paul’s High School and Gonzaga Middle School in Winnipeg, Saint Bonaventure’s College in St. John’s, NL, Brébeuf College School in Toronto and Mother Teresa Middle School in Regina.