St. Joseph Calasanz, founder of the first popular Christian school in Europe, and of the Piarist Fathers, was born in 1557, in Peralta de la Sal (Aragon, Spain). His family environment provided him with a solid Christian and cultural formation. God called him to the priesthood. In Rome he was moved by the misery of young people and children, and the Lord called him.
In the spring of 1597 he visited Trastevere, discovered a small parish school, and founded the "first popular and free school in Europe". He called his work the "Pious Schools", and founded the Order of the same name. The Piarists profess "four solemn religious vows: poverty, chastity, obedience, and dedication to the education of youth".
He died in Rome on August 25, 1648. He was declared a saint in 1767, and Pope Pius XII declared him "heavenly patron of all Christian popular schools" in 1948. Saint John Paul II stated that St. Joseph Calasanz took Christ as his model and tried to transmit to young people the profane science and wisdom of the Gospel.
St. Louis of France, promoter of justice and peace
The liturgy also celebrates on this day, among other saints and blessed, St. Louis, King of France (Poissy, 1214 - Tunis, 1270), founder of institutions such as the Sorbonne and the Sainte-Chapelle. He is remembered as king just and merciful and for promoting peace and justice.
He was canonized by Pope Boniface VIII in 1297, after dying of the plague on August 25, 1270, while caring for the sick. His reign enjoyed prestige in Christendom. He was a first cousin of the Castilian King Ferdinand III the Saint, he married Margaret of Provence and they had eleven children. It is employer of the Secular Franciscan Order. Some cities in Mexico are named after him.
