August 26th is the Feast Day of St. Joseph Calasanz. He was born in 1557 in Spain. By the age of 14 he knew he wanted to be a priest, but his parents wanted him to be a scholarly nobleman. Honoring his parents he earned his doctorate degree in philosophy and law. Before his father passed away, he gave Joseph his blessing to receive Holy Orders. St. Joseph Calasanz was ordained at the age of 26. Nearly 10 years later his vocation took him to Rome, where his fate unfolded. He became passionate about helping the poor children struggling to survive in the city. Five years later he opened the first free public school in Europe.
More than 1,000 students entered his school and others opened across Rome and neighboring communities. He lived to be 90 years old. He is a great example of a man who put God and the ways of Christ first.
St. Joseph Calasanz, patron of children and Catholic schools, pray for us!
