TO EDUCATE
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TO PROCLAIM
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TO TRANSFORM
JOIN US
Ordo Clericorum Regularium Pauperum Matris Dei Scholarum Piarum — The Order of the Poor Clerics Regular of the Mother of God of the Pious Schools.
The Piarist Fathers (Sch.P.) are a Roman Catholic religious order of priests and brothers, founded in Rome in 1617 by St. Joseph Calasanz. We are the world's oldest religious institute dedicated exclusively to the education of the poor.
Known in Spanish as Escolapios, in Italian as Scolopi, and in Latin as Ordo Clericorum Regularium Pauperum Matris Dei Scholarum Piarum (Pious Schools), the Piarists were founded in 1617 as the Pauline Congregation (named in honor of Pope Paul V who approved it). In 1621, Pope Gregory XV elevated the congregation to a Religious Order under its current name.
Our charism is beautifully captured in our motto: Pietas et Litterae — Piety and Learning — integrating faith formation with academic excellence for the benefit of every child, especially the most disadvantaged, for whom we profess a Special Fourth Vow.
We are a Religious Order dedicated to evangelizing through education children, preferably the poor — therefore we profess a special fourth vow.
We renounce personal ownership of goods, living in common and relying on the Providence of God, free to serve without attachment to wealth or comfort.
We embrace celibacy for the sake of the Kingdom of God, freeing our hearts to love all children and families with an undivided, paternal love.
We follow our superiors in a spirit of faith, discerning the will of God through the structures of the Order and the needs of the Church.
Our defining charism. Piarists uniquely vow total dedication to the evangelization and education of youth, especially the poor. This special fourth vow places the mission of education at the very core of our religious consecration — making us teachers by vow and covenant.
The sacred coat of arms of the Order of Pious Schools is rich in Marian theology and historical significance.
The anagram results from overlapping the first and last letters of the name Maria (M-A), proclaiming the greater glory of the Blessed Virgin as Mother of the Incarnate Word.
Abbreviations of the Greek words Mήτηρ Θεοῦ (Meter Theu), invoking Our Lady under her supreme dogma as the Holy Mother of God.
The royal crown contained between the cross and the apex of the letter 'A' was officially added after 1619, representing Mary's Queenship.
Surrounded by straight and wavy golden rays (raggi d'oro), symbolizing the immense glory and light that the Blessed Virgin deserves.
Present across 43 countries on 4 continents (Europe, Asia, Africa, and America).
We don't carry this mission out alone. We share it with over 100,000 laity and male and female religious congregations that form the Calasanz Family.
Young people and adults accompanied by about 500 educators, living processes of integration in 44 countries and 21 demarcations.
Religious and lay people sharing charism and life in 88 small communities across 58 locations and 13 countries.
Promoting 329 works of shared mission across 11 demarcations, 5 fraternities, and 18 countries.
Piarists live in religious communities, sharing prayer, meals, and apostolic mission. Community life is not merely a convenience — it is itself a witness to the Kingdom of God.
Each community gathers daily for the Eucharist and the Liturgy of the Hours, and meets regularly for fraternal sharing and community discernment.
