Joseph Calasanz underscored the importance of the education of the youth. Responding to the challenges of the time, St. ![]() Pope Pius XII declared him “Heavenly Patron of all Christian popular schools” in 1948. He was beatified by Pope Benedict XIV in 1748, and was canonized by Pope Clement XIII in 1767. Joseph died in 1648 and the Piarists were restored years after. But he never lost hope that one day his religious order would be restored and the poor would be served again through it. Repeatedly investigated by papal commissions, the Piarists were suppressed. Joseph’s pedagogical idea of educating every child, his schools for the poor, his support of the heliocentric sciences of Galileo Galilei and his service towards the youth all aroused the opposition of many among the governing classes in society and the ecclesiastical hierarchy. Prejudices and political ambition caused the institute much turmoil. Not long after, Joseph was appointed superior for life. The men who volunteered in this ministry was recognized in 1621 as the Order of Poor Clerics Regular of the Mother of God of the Pious Schools (Piarists). Soon, the institute received Papal support. The response was overwhelming that there was a constant need for larger facilities to house their effort. ![]() He and his companions personally provided a free school for them. He put aside his career because of his deep concern for their education. When he went to Rome, his heart was moved by the vice and ignorance of the children of the poor. He earned degrees in canon law and theology, and was ordained priest in 1583. Patron of the UST College of Education and the UST Education High Schoolīorn in 1556, Joseph grew up in a wealthy family from Aragon.
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