1850 – 1917 (April 5)
Daniel Denis Regan was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, on January 1, 1850, to John Regan and Margaret Donovan. His younger brother, Henry also became an Augustinian. While Daniel was a child his family moved to Andover, Ma., where he attended the Punchard Free School. In 1868, Daniel entered Villanova College, where, in 1872, he earned his B.A. degree. On January 20, 1870, he entered the novitiate at Villanova, professed first vows on January 21, 1871, and solemn vows, on January 25, 1874. On both Acts of Profession Daniel signed O’Regan as his surname. After studying theology at Villanova College he was ordained to the priesthood on March 15, 1874 by James F. Wood, Bishop of Philadelphia, at St. Charles Seminary.
Father Regan was assigned as an assistant to the parish of St. Mary in Lawrence, Ma., and in July 1875, he was appointed director of the Immaculate Conception Church, the parish’s mission church. On April 11, 1878, he was assigned as rector and treasurer of St. Mary’s parish in Waterford, New York, where, two years later, he directed the building of a convent. In September 1881, he was appointed the sixth pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Lawrence, Ma. From 1886 to 1894, Father Regan was pastor of St. Paul’s parish, Mechanicville, New York, where he served two terms as prior of the community. During his pastorate he also directed the construction of St. Peter the Apostle Church in Stillwater, New York.
In 1890, when he was re-elected prior of the St. Paul parish community, Father Regan was appointed definitor of the province. The following year he was chosen as vicar provincial, in the absence of Father James D. Waldron who was attending meetings in Rome. In 1894, Father Regan was appointed pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, Hoosick Falls, New York, and four years later, built the academy that accommodated 500 students. In July 1898, the Albany Synod appointed Father Regan (together with another Augustinian, John T. Emmett) as school commissioner. On July 16, 1902, he was appointed prior of St. Augustine Parish community in Philadelphia, Pa. Among Father Regan’s gifts was his to place debt-ridden St. Mary’s parish in Lawrence on a solid financial basis. The Troy Times of New York, commended him on the occasion of his silver jubilee, “as an eloquent, forceful and logical preacher, of strong character, and a citizen respected by all, and deeply interested in matters pertaining to the public welfare.”
Father Regan died on Holy Thursday, April 5, 1917, at the age of 67, at St. Augustine Parish. Interment took place on Easter Monday, April 9, in the vault at St. Augustine’s in Philadelphia, Pa.
