St. Joseph Calasanz | The Saint Who Started Public Education

About this sermon

St. Joseph Calasanz saw children whom society had largely abandoned—and decided that poverty should never prevent a child from receiving an education or coming to know Christ. Born in Spain in the 16th century, Calasanz became a priest and eventually traveled to Rome, where he encountered large numbers of poor and orphaned children. He opened schools for them, gathered a community of teachers, and ultimately founded the Congregation of the Pious Schools, whose members became known as the Piarists. Within years, his schools were educating hundreds and eventually thousands of children. His vision was remarkably broad. Students learned not only religion and the liberal arts, but mathematics and science. The sermon even notes his friendship with Galileo and the advanced scientific education offered in his schools. Yet his greatest lesson may have been that Catholic education depends upon more than information. The teacher’s example, charity, devotion to truth, and love of God form the student as powerfully as the lesson itself. Near the end of his life, Calasanz suffered the devastating suppression of his order, dying before seeing its restoration. Yet only years later his work returned and continued. In an age of educational crisis and countless “spiritual orphans,” his mission remains urgently relevant. St. Joseph Calasanz, pray for us! #StJosephCalasanz #CatholicEducation #CatholicSaints #Piarists #CatholicSchools #SaintOfTheDay #CatholicFaith #TraditionalCatholic #ChristianEducation #SensusFidelium 00:00 – St. Joseph Calasanz & Catholic Education 00:34 – Pioneer of Public Education 00:50 – His Childhood & Call to the Priesthood 01:21 – Parish Priesthood & Journey to Rome 01:38 – The Orphans of Rome 02:02 – Opening Schools for Poor Children 02:17 – 1,000 Children Under His Care 02:25 – Founding the Pious Schools 02:48 – Education Before Modern Public Schools 03:20 – Calasanz, St. John Bosco & St. John Baptist de La Salle 03:41 – Charity vs. Modern Social Justice 04:26 – Educating the Poor Despite Social Opposition 05:39 – Education for Those With Special Needs 06:49 – Welcoming Children of Other Religions 07:20 – Education as Evangelization 07:52 – Why Authentic Catholic Education Is Powerful 08:48 – Science, Mathematics & Galileo 09:22 – Serving During the Plague 09:45 – The Active Life Rooted in Prayer 10:10 – The Great Cross at the End of His Life 10:56 – Suppression of the Piarist Order 11:12 – Restoration After His Death 11:27 – Death of St. Joseph Calasanz 11:44 – Hope When Everything Appears Lost 12:00 – The Lasting Educational Legacy 12:25 – The Modern Crisis in Education 12:53 – The Problem of “Spiritual Orphans” 13:17 – Bringing Children to Truth & Christ 13:34 – Prayer Through St. Joseph Calasanz Please say 3 Hail Marys for the priest. 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴