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August 25: Saint Joseph of Calasanz, Priest—Optional Memorial
1556–1648
Patron Saint of Catholic schools (especially ones for the poor), colleges, and schoolchildren
Canonized by Pope Clement XIII on July 16, 1767
Liturgical Color: White
Quote:
Joseph Calasanz, wise interpreter of the signs of the times, considered education, given in a “brief, simple and effective manner,” the guarantee of success in the life of students and the leaven of social and ecclesial renewal. Moreover, he saw school as a new way of evangelizing and for this reason he wished religious and preferably priests to take on the task of teaching, committing themselves to offering the child an all-round culture, in which the religious dimension would be considered and lived in a profound manner. Calasanz consequently outlined the figure of the priest, teacher of little ones and of the poor, while at the same time raising to ministerial dignity an office considered by his contemporaries as lowly and of little prestige. ~Letter from Pope John Paul II to the Superior General of the Piarist Fathers
Reflection: Joseph Calasanz was born near Peralta de la Sal, in the Kingdom of Aragon, modern-day Spain. While farming was the primary means of livelihood for most people in his hometown, Joseph’s parents were members of the nobility and devout Catholics who ensured that he was well educated and learned his catechism from a young age. One story relates that, as a boy, Joseph used to gather the other children and teach them about God. One day, after learning about the devil, he gathered some youth for an important mission: he wanted to kill the devil because the devil was God’s enemy.
Around the time Joseph turned fourteen, he was sent to a school about ten miles from his home, where he learned from the friars of the Trinitarian Order. It was then that he first sensed God calling him to become a priest. He was next sent to the University of Lleida, where he studied philosophy, earning a Doctorate in Laws with honors. Then he made the long journey south to study theology in Valencia before heading west to Madrid, where he completed his education.
Around that time, when Joseph was about twenty-six years old, his mother died. Though grief-stricken, he decided to fulfill the desire in his heart, informing his father that he wanted to become a priest. His father, however, wanted him to marry, since Joseph was the only surviving son to carry on the family name. Before the issue could be resolved, Joseph became ill and almost died. This so affected Joseph’s father that he changed his mind and permitted Joseph to be ordained. His ordination took place one year later on December 17, 1583.
For the next nine years, as a newly ordained priest with a sound education, Father Calasanz served in various capacities under two different bishops. He first served as theologian and confessor to Bishop della Figuera, as well as in important administrative positions. In 1587, Father Calasanz was summoned home to attend to his sick father who died shortly after his arrival. Bishop della Figuera also died around that time, so Father Calasanz began working as the Vicar General for the Bishop of Urgell, where he was ordained.
Less than five years later, in 1592, Father Calasanz heard God calling him to something new. Administrative work was not what God was calling him to for the rest of his life. This desire grew when he experienced a vision of himself teaching large numbers of children with the help of angels in the city of Rome. This vision impressed upon his heart so much that, at the age of thirty-five, he promptly responded to the call.
In Rome, Father Calasanz met Cardinal Marcantonio Colonna, who appointed him as his personal theologian and also had him tutor his nephew. He also joined the recently formed Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, which was established in Rome with the purpose of educating children in the faith. The problem Father Calasanz encountered was that there were many poor and orphaned children in Rome who were homeless and needed assistance. Seeing this broke his heart. Among their needs was catechesis, but they needed education and formation in every area of life. In response to these needs, Father Calasanz attempted to admit these children to a local school for free, but he met with roadblocks. The teachers, who already worked for low wages, were often unwilling to accept more children without pay. A local pastor, however, offered to help by allowing Father Calasanz to use some rooms at his church for classes. Soon, some other priests offered to help with the catechesis and in 1597, five years after arriving in Rome, Father Calasanz opened a school, the first free school for children in all of Europe.
Though the work began small, with only one school, the Holy Spirit soon flooded this good priest with an abundance of children and support. While the novelty of his approach resulted in resistance from some, others were impressed. From the pope and bishops, down to local priests and laity, many began to offer their support for his good work. In 1600, Father Calasanz opened his first “Pious School” in Rome and continued to expand. Two years later, he had around 1,000 children in his schools.
Around that time, Father Calasanz rented a house in Rome for himself and the priests who were assisting him so that they could form a community life together as they engaged in their work. Over the next fifteen years, Father Calasanz’s priestly companions grew to more than a dozen. These good priests sensed God calling them to form a religious order, so Father Calasanz formed a rule and presented it to the Holy Father. In 1617, Pope Paul V approved the rule submitted by Father Calasanz, and the “Pauline Congregation of the Poor of the Mother of God of the Pious Schools” (Piarist for short) was established as a congregation with simple vows. In addition to the normal vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, these fathers took a fourth vow of dedicating themselves to the free education of children, especially the poor. In 1621, the congregation was elevated to the status of a religious order by Pope Gregory XV, who gave them the name “Order of Poor Clerics Regular of the Mother of God of the Pious Schools.”
By the time of Father Calasanz’s death in 1648, the Piarist Fathers ran dozens of free schools throughout Europe.
Father Calasanz created his own teaching methods and curriculum, which he instilled in his brother priests. They welcomed all students, including Jews and Protestants. In addition to catechism, they taught science, math, literature, and Latin. They focused on character formation, hygiene, and basic skills to promote healthy living. Though they disciplined the children, they sought to do so with mildness, preferring to anticipate problems and prevent them, rather than being harsh after the children went astray.
Saint Joseph Calasanz’ vision of educating poor children while surrounded by angels came true. He sensed God calling him to a particular mission and did not hesitate to fulfill that duty. God used him to care for the poorest and most vulnerable in society by raising those children up into well-formed adults through compassion, formation, and systematic education. His approach to free education flowed from Christian charity, and that charity grew and blossomed throughout the entire world. Today, the 1,400 Piarist Fathers extend from Europe to Asia, Africa, and North and South America.
As we honor this great saint who was both a founder and educator, ponder the important responsibility of forming children in the faith. As you do, reflect upon your role in this. If God is calling you in some way to engage in the apostolate of the education and formation of youth, do not hesitate to respond. If not, add this important mission to your daily prayers so that the laborers who are needed will fill this most important role in the lives of those who need it the most.
Prayer: Saint Joseph Calasanz, you were well educated and formed in the faith from a young age, and then God called you to share those blessings with others. Please pray for me, that all I have received in life will be used for God’s glory and for the good of others, helping all who need my help to grow closer to God and more fully fulfill His will. Saint Joseph Calasanz, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.
Unit Leader: Bro. Dave & Sis. Tess Calces
☺Household Leader: Bro. Daniel & Sis. Dome Magno
Members:
-Bro. Joewey & Sis. Mayang Morales
-Bro. Rodel & Sis. Shirly Saludes
-Bro. Emman & Sis. Joan Leonor
☺Household Leader: Bro. Sonny & Sis. Cora Andal
Members:
-Bro. Bernie & Sis. Lorna Faustino
-Bro. Bong & Sis. Lani Mangalus
-Bro. Randy & Sis. Gina Salma
-Bro. Nonie & Sis. Josie Fajilan
☺Household Leader: Bro. Edmund & Sis. Eve Espiritu
Members:
-Bro. Bart & Sis. Kathy Fallaria
-Bro. Dan & Sis. Tess Tolentino
-Bro. Eric & Sis. Lilian Lingal
☺Household Leader: Bro. Rodel & Sis. Mhang Manuel
-Bro. Bong & Sis. Irene Austria
-Bro. Willy & sis. Milly Lathrop
-Bro. Randy & Sis. Jessa Quing-quing
-Bro. Ernie & Sis. Darmie Sojor
☺Household Leader: Bro. Cris & Sis. Nora Pineda
Our Activities:
National Shrine of Saint Jude: Legion of Mary Praesidium
MARIA SPES SINENSIUM Members :
- President: Caroline Gozun
SCOPE OF WORK:
Home to home visitation; taking and updating of the parish census; recruitment and follow up of active and auxiliary members; follow up on marriage validation, baptismal, Holy Communion and confirmation cases; hospital visitation; block rosary; participation in various parish and curia activities.
ABOUT:
The Legion of Mary
The object of the Legion of Mary is the glory of God through the holiness of its members developed by prayer and active co-operation in Mary’s and the Church’s work. The unit of the Legion of Mary is called a praesidium, which holds a weekly meeting, where prayer is intermingled with reports and discussion. Persons who wish to join the Legion must apply for membership in a Praesidium. The Legion sees as its priority the spiritual and social welfare of each individual. The members participate in the life of the parish through visitation of families, the sick, both in their homes and in hospitals and through collaboration in every apostolic and missionary undertaking sponsored by the parish. Every legionary is required to carry out a weekly apostolic work in the spirit of faith and in union with Mary.
The Legion of Mary is a lay apostolic association of Catholics who, with the sanction of the Church and under the powerful leadership of Mary Immaculate, Mediatrix of All Graces, serve the Church and their neighbour on a voluntary basis in about 170 countries. The first meeting of the Legion of Mary took place in Myra House, Francis Street, Dublin, Ireland, on 7 September, 1921. This meeting was to have very beneficial consequences for the mission of the Catholic Church and, in a special way, for millions of members of Christ’s lay faithful who would serve in the Legion and for those who would be served by the legionary apostolate. Many persons outside the Catholic Church would also benefit from that apostolate. With the approval and support of the Popes and a great many Bishops, Priests and Religious, as well as the prayers and efforts of legionaries, the Legion, by the grace of God, has grown into a worldwide organisation with several million members.
Drawing its inspiration from the True Devotion to Mary, as taught by St. Louis Marie de Montfort, and which had a profound influence on the Founder of the Legion, the Servant of God, Frank Duff, the Legion is at the disposal of the Bishops and Priests for use in the mission of the Church. While essentially a lay association, legionaries look for spiritual and apostolic formation to priests and religious, who, as Legion Spiritual Directors, hold an honoured place in the Legion system. The Legion requires ecclesiastical approval to work in a diocese or parish. Loyalty to the Magisterium and to Ecclesiastical Authority is a basic legionary principle. The Legion aims to bring Mary to the world as the infallible means of winning the world to Jesus and legionary service is based on the doctrine of the Mystical Body of Christ so that in their fellow members and in those they serve, legionaries seek to have the Person of our Lord once again seen and served by Mary, his Mother.
The general and essential means by which the Legion of Mary is to effect its object is personal service acting under the influence of the Holy Spirit, having Divine Grace as its moving principle and support, and the glory of God and the salvation of souls as its final end and purpose. Evangelisation, especially the seeking of conversions to the Church, should be a priority for the Legion. Through the visitation of homes and by other means, the Legion must, as a first principle, set out to establish a contact of some sort with every soul everywhere. Seeing and serving Christ in the sick and marginalised is another vital part of the legionary apostolate. While not engaging in the giving of material relief, legionaries will often find opportunities to do works of service for the needy.
The basic unit of the Legion is called a praesidium, which is normally based in a parish. A parish may have more than one praesidium. To be an active legionary it is necessary to apply for membership in a praesidium, which holds a weekly meeting and allocates a weekly apostolic task to the members, who generally work in pairs. After a successful period of probation, members are called to make the Legionary Promise (this is only applicable for members over 18 years) which is directed to the Holy Spirit. Realising the necessity for a strong support of prayer, the Legion has Auxiliary members, who associate themselves with the Legion by undertaking a service of prayer in its name. The administration of the Legion is carried out through its various councils at local, regional and national level. The central council, the Concilium Legionis Mariae, meets monthly in Dublin.
The Cause for Beatification has been introduced for three legionaries: The Servant of God, Frank Duff (1889-1980), Founder of the Legion, who attended the Second Vatican Council as a Lay Observer; Venerable Edel Quinn (1907-1944), Legion Envoy to East Africa; and the Servant of God, Alfie Lambe (1932-1959), Legion Envoy to South America.