Saint Joseph Calasanz, Priest

Saint Joseph Calasanz is also known as San José de Calasanz. He was a Catholic priest from Spain. He lived in the late 1500s and early 1600s. He saw poor children with no one to help them learn. He gave his life to teach them.

Joseph started the first free public school in Europe. He believed every child had a right to learn, no matter how poor. He worked with love and patience. He did not give up, even when things got hard.

He started a group of priests to teach boys. This group is called the Piarist Fathers. They are still helping children around the world today. Joseph’s life shows that education is a way to serve God.

He is now a saint in the Catholic Church. His work changed the lives of many. His love for children still shines today. He is the patron saint of Catholic schools.

Joseph Calasanz was born on September 11, 1557. He was born in a small town in Spain called Peralta de la Sal. His family was noble and had some money. They were also strong in their Catholic faith.

Joseph was a smart and kind boy. He liked to pray and help others. He studied hard and wanted to be a priest. His parents at first did not want that, but later they agreed.

He went to school in Lérida and other cities. He studied law, theology, and philosophy. He was ordained a priest in 1583. He worked in Spain for a while, but he felt God calling him to Rome.

He moved to Rome in 1592. At first, he helped noble families and worked with other priests. But then he saw something that changed his life. He saw poor children with no schools and no help.

In Rome, Joseph saw many children on the streets. They were dirty, hungry, and had no chance to learn. No one cared about them. Joseph felt sad for them. He wanted to help.

He began to teach a few boys in a parish school. Soon, more and more children came. Joseph did not charge them anything. He taught them reading, writing, and the faith.

People started to notice. Some helped him, but others did not like what he was doing. Some rich people thought poor children did not need education. But Joseph kept going.

He believed every child is made by God. He believed poor children had the same worth as rich children. He opened the first free public school in Europe in 1597. He welcomed all boys, no matter how poor.

Joseph saw that he needed help to teach so many children. He asked other priests to join him. They lived in community and helped each other. They prayed, taught, and served together.

In 1617, his group became a religious order. It was called the Poor Clerics Regular of the Mother of God of the Pious Schools. People also call them the Piarist Fathers. They took vows and lived like other religious orders.

The Piarists focused only on teaching and caring for children. They were the first order in the Church made just for that work. They opened schools in other cities and countries.

Many boys who had nothing were given a future. They were taught to read, write, and know their faith. Some even became priests or leaders. Joseph showed that God can be served by teaching.

Joseph’s work grew fast. But soon, problems began. Some people did not like the Piarists. They spread lies about them. Some members of the order made mistakes. That brought shame to the group.

Joseph was removed as leader. The order was almost shut down. Joseph was old and weak, but he stayed calm. He trusted in God. He prayed and waited.

He never got angry or bitter. He said God would take care of it in His time. After Joseph died, the Church cleared his name. The order slowly grew strong again.

Even in suffering, Joseph stayed faithful. He showed that doing good is not always easy. But it is still worth doing.

Joseph Calasanz died on August 25, 1648. He was 90 years old. He had lived a long life of service. Many people knew he was a holy man. He gave everything to help children learn.

The Church declared him Blessed in 1748. He was made a saint in 1767 by Pope Clement XIII. His feast day is August 25. The Church honors him as a great teacher and helper of the poor.

In 1948, Pope Pius XII made him the patron saint of all Christian schools. He is also the patron of students and school teachers. His work is not forgotten.

The Piarist Fathers still teach children today. They follow the path Joseph began. His love for poor children still lives in their work. He is a reminder that one person can make a big difference.

Biography of Saint Joseph Calasanz

This book tells the story of Saint Joseph Calasanz, a priest from Spain who helped poor children by giving them free education. He started the first public school for the poor and later founded the Piarist Order. The book shares how he faced many problems but never gave up. It shows his strong faith and his love for helping others. His life still inspires teachers, priests, and people who want to make a difference. If you enjoy stories about faith, service, and simple acts that bring change, this book will be a good read.