About Canisius College · Buffalo, New York
Canisius University (known as Canisius College until 2023) is a private Catholic and Jesuit university in Buffalo, New York, founded in 1870 by German Jesuits at the invitation of Buffalo Bishop Stephen Ryan. Named for St. Peter Canisius, the 16th-century Dutch theologian and Doctor of the Church, it sits on a 72-acre urban campus in Buffalo's historic Hamlin Park district. Today it is one of 27 Jesuit universities in the United States and offers more than a hundred undergraduate majors and minors plus about thirty-four graduate programs. The spiritual heart of campus is Christ the King Chapel, where the Office of Campus Ministry coordinates Masses, retreats, service-learning, faith-sharing, and Ignatian discernment for the roughly 2,400 students.
- Established
- 1870
- Patron
- St. Peter Canisius
- Rector
- Rev. Frederick G. Betti, S.J. (campus chaplain)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo
Why belong here
Canisius University's campus ministry welcomes students, faculty, staff, and neighbors of all faith backgrounds into a vibrant Catholic, Jesuit worship and service community centered on Christ the King Chapel. Daily and Sunday Masses are open to all, with regular opportunities for confession, Eucharistic adoration, retreats, service-learning placements across the city of Buffalo, faith-sharing groups, and Ignatian discernment — all under the pastoral care of a resident Jesuit chaplain and deacon. It is an ideal place to experience the Ignatian tradition of 'finding God in all things' while serving Buffalo's East Side and surrounding neighborhoods.
Mass times at Canisius College
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Christ the King Chapel)
- Friday 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Christ the King Chapel)
- Or by appointment arranged with campus ministry staff
Adoration times
- Friday 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Adoration in Christ the King Chapel)
Catholic and Jesuit Identity
Canisius University is a Catholic and Jesuit institution in the tradition of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus in 1540. The university espouses Jesuit principles of human excellence, care for the whole person (cura personalis), social justice, and interreligious dialogue, and aims to form 'men and women for and with others.' The institution is rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition's unity of knowledge and the dialogue of faith and reason, and Jesuit spirituality calls the community to 'seek God in all things.' Canisius is one of 27 Jesuit universities in the United States and 189 worldwide.
- Founded by the Jesuits of the German Province in 1870
- Named for St. Peter Canisius, Doctor of the Church
- Open and welcoming to students of all faith traditions
- Mission and Identity is a named focus of Campus Ministry
History of Canisius
The college traces its roots to a German Jesuit parish community that arose from a disputed ownership of St. Louis Church in Buffalo in 1851. Rev. Lucas Caveng, S.J., and 19 families from St. Louis Church founded St. Michael's Church on Washington Street, and the college — primarily to serve the sons of German immigrants — opened in 1870 at 434 Ellicott Street next to St. Michael's. The current campus was anchored by the Old Main building at 2001 Main Street, completed in 1913. Father James M. Demske, S.J., served as president from 1966 to 1993, growing the school and moving it to a lay-controlled board in 1968-69 to qualify for state and federal aid. Father Vincent Cooke, S.J., succeeded Demske in 1993, and John J. Hurley became the first lay president in 2010.
- 1851 — German Jesuit community at St. Louis Church leads to St. Michael's parish
- 1870 — College opens at 434 Ellicott Street with 35 students
- 1913 — Old Main at 2001 Main Street completed
- 1966–1993 — Father James M. Demske, S.J., presidency (27 years)
- 1968–69 — Transition to a lay-controlled board of trustees
- 1993–2010 — Father Vincent Cooke, S.J., presidency
- 2010–2022 — John J. Hurley, first lay president
- 2022 — Steve K. Stoute, JD, becomes 25th president
- August 1, 2023 — Officially renamed Canisius University
Christ the King Chapel
Christ the King Chapel is the historic worship center and spiritual home of the Canisius University community. The Chapel is generally open from morning to night, and all people of all faith backgrounds are welcome to visit, rest, pray and discern their relationship with God there. Groups are welcome to gather in the Chapel for many types of community events by contacting campus ministry staff. The Chapel hosts the daily and Sunday Mass schedule as well as the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Friday devotions of adoration and Sacred Heart prayers.
- Sunday Mass: 9:30 AM and 7:00 PM
- Weekday Mass: Monday–Friday 12:05 PM
- Confessions: Monday and Friday 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (or by appointment)
- Friday Adoration: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Sacred Heart Prayers after the Friday 12:05 PM Mass
- Anointing of the Sick after the Friday 12:05 PM Mass
Campus Ministry Staff
The Office of Campus Ministry is staffed by a resident Jesuit chaplain and a deacon who serves as Sacramental Minister and Faith Formation leader. Together they coordinate the worship life of Christ the King Chapel, faith formation, retreats, service-learning, and pastoral care for the university community.
- Rev. Frederick G. Betti, S.J. — Chaplain (office 716-888-2875 / cell 716-572-8377)
- Deacon Gary Andelora — Sacramental Minister / Faith Formation (office 716-888-2425)
- Caroline King — Assistant Director of Campus Ministry (host of Tea Time in Loyola Hall)
- Campus Ministry Office: Old Main 101, 716-888-2420
Worship, Sacraments and Devotions
Worship in Christ the King Chapel follows a daily rhythm of Mass, Friday adoration, and Sacred Heart devotion, with the Sacrament of Reconciliation offered twice a week. Faith Community Liturgies continue throughout the year and are not limited to the academic calendar; adjustments are announced. Mass intentions, memorial Masses, baptism, marriage, and communion calls are all arranged through the chaplain.
- Sunday Masses: 9:30 AM and 7:00 PM
- Weekday Masses: Monday–Friday at 12:05 PM
- Confessions: Monday & Friday 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM, or by appointment
- Friday Adoration: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Sacred Heart Prayers and Anointing of the Sick after the Friday 12:05 PM Mass
- Baptisms: arranged through Fr. Betti
- Weddings in the Chapel: arranged through the chaplain
Getting Involved in Liturgy
The Christ the King Chapel community welcomes the participation of students, faculty, staff, and neighbors in celebrating worship. Lectors, trained ministers of the Eucharist, Hospitality Ministers, social-event helpers, musicians, vocalists, and chapel-care cleaners are all invited to serve. Those interested are encouraged to speak with Fr. Betti after Masses or contact him at the office.
- Lectors
- Eucharistic Ministers (trained)
- Hospitality Ministers
- Music group 'Exalt' (musicians and vocalists)
- Social event helpers and chapel-care cleaners
Retreats, Service and Discernment
Campus Ministry offers a full slate of formation programs rooted in the Ignatian tradition. Students are invited to take a weekend retreat, encounter others on a service-learning trip exploring the root causes of injustice, and serve in the city of Buffalo through community partners. The Office of Campus Ministry is also a place for community nights and faith-sharing groups, and offers the tools of Ignatian Discernment for career decisions and other weighty choices. Fr. Betti personally escorts students into service on Buffalo's East Side at the Response to Love Center.
- Weekend retreats
- Service-learning experiences rooted in faith and justice
- Community partnerships across the City of Buffalo
- Community nights and faith-sharing groups
- Ignatian Discernment for career and life decisions
- Tea Time conversations in Loyola Hall (hosted by Fr. Betti and Caroline King)
Jesuit Community on Campus
In 2024 about 11 Jesuits lived in Loyola Hall on the Canisius campus. The Jesuit community incorporated separately as the Canisius Jesuit Community during the late-1960s transition to lay governance, retaining legal title to Loyola Hall. Today their mission has shifted to accompanying students and reminding the surrounding community of the Jesuit presence in Buffalo — a mission largely carried by the campus chaplain, Fr. Fred Betti, SJ.
- Loyola Hall Jesuit residence on campus
- Approximately 11 Jesuits in residence (2024)
- Daily 7:00 AM Mass for the sisters of the Response to Love Center offered by Fr. Betti
University Leadership
Steve K. Stoute, JD, became the 25th president of Canisius University on July 1, 2022. He is the first person of color to lead Canisius and one of the youngest presidents in the institution's history. As president, Stoute oversees the region's premier Jesuit institution with a vision centered on servant-leadership and the Catholic, Jesuit, and urban distinctions of the school. The chaplaincy reports into campus ministry under his administration.
- President Steve K. Stoute, JD — 25th president, since July 2022
- Chaplain Fr. Frederick G. Betti, S.J. — appointed 2023
- Deacon Gary Andelora — Sacramental Minister / Faith Formation
Visiting Christ the King Chapel
All are welcome to join the Canisius faith community for Masses, prayer, and liturgies at Christ the King Chapel. Visitors wishing to register and receive regular notifications may contact Fr. Betti or pick up a registration form at the community info table in the Chapel. The Chapel is generally open from morning to night for prayer and quiet visits, and groups may gather there for community events by arrangement with campus ministry staff.
- Registration forms available at the Chapel info table
- Regular notifications for those who register with the faith community
- Groups welcome by arrangement with campus ministry staff
- Contact: Fr. Frederick G. Betti, S.J. — 716-888-2875
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Lucas Caveng, S.J. (founding Jesuit)1851 (parish origins); 1870 (college founding)
German Jesuit who founded St. Michael's Church with 19 families from St. Louis Church; the college grew out of that parish community.
- Rev. James M. Demske, S.J.1966–1993
27-year president; nearly doubled enrollment to ~4,700; established the School of Business; grew the endowment from ~$1M to $27M+.
- Rev. Vincent Cooke, S.J.1993–2010
Succeeded Demske; Jesuit president who oversaw the transition toward lay leadership.
- John J. Hurley2010–2022
First lay president of Canisius; later authored a whitepaper on the Catholic and Jesuit mission of the college.
- Steve K. Stoute, JD2022–present
25th president; first person of color to lead Canisius; led transition to university status in 2023.