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Stand in the Gap with us and Saint Joseph Calasanz 8/26/2023
Highlighting his pedagogical approach, Joseph Calasanz once wrote: “If from the very earliest years, a child is instructed in both religion and letters, it can be reasonably hoped that his life will be happy.” Accordingly, the motto of the Piarists is “Piety and Letters.”
He was a close friend of the renowned astronomer Galileo Galilei.
From Aragon where he was born in 1556, to Rome where he died 92 years later, fortune alternately smiled and frowned on the work of Joseph Calasanz. A priest with university training in canon law and theology, respected for his wisdom and administrative expertise, he put aside his career because he was deeply concerned with the need for education of poor children.
When he was unable to get other institutes to undertake this apostolate at Rome, Joseph and several companions personally provided a free school for deprived children. So overwhelming was the response that there was a constant need for larger facilities to house their effort. Soon, Pope Clement VIII gave support to the school, and this aid continued under Pope Paul V.
Other schools were opened; other men were attracted to the work, and in 1621 the community—for so the teachers lived—was recognized as a religious community, the Clerks Regular of Religious Schools—Piarists or Scolopi. Not long after, Joseph was appointed superior for life.
