TO EDUCATE
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TO PROCLAIM
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TO TRANSFORM
JOIN US
We are a Roman Catholic Religious Order founded in the 17th century by St. Joseph Calasanz (1557 – 1648), dedicated to evangelizing through education children, preferably the poor – for which we profess a special fourth vow.
St. Joseph Calasanz was declared in 1948 by Pope Pius XII “Universal patron of all Christian popular schools in the world”, having opened “the first public popular free school in Europe” in 1597 (Von Pastor). He proclaimed the right to education of all children and fought for it, creating a resounding legacy that continues today.
Today, Piarists do not carry out this mission alone – we share it with over 100,000 laity and partner religious congregations that form the Great Calasanctian Family across 43 countries.
A unique religious vow dedicated exclusively to the Christian education of youth, especially the poor and underprivileged.
Our founding motto: Piety and Learning – combining deep spiritual formation with academic excellence.
Sharing our mission with 100,000+ laity, 15,000 Calasanz Movement youth, and partner religious congregations worldwide.
From one mission to many places, the Piarist charism continues to grow across India.
Six foundational pillars guide our apostolic life, rooted in the vision of St. Joseph Calasanz.
Rooted in the sacramental life of the Church, our communities are centers of prayer, Eucharistic adoration, and the Liturgy of the Hours, nourishing our apostolic mission.
Following Calasanz's legacy, we operate schools and formation centers providing holistic education – academic, moral, and spiritual – especially for the underprivileged.
A preferential option for the poor is written into our DNA. From slum schools to remote villages, we bring God's compassion to the margins of society.
We live in community – sharing resources, fraternal support, and a common mission – witnessing to the Gospel through consecrated life and apostolic brotherhood.
Through our schools, parishes, and pastoral works, we proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ, inviting all to an encounter with the living God.
As part of a worldwide religious order spanning 42+ countries, we share resources, vocations, and charism in a spirit of universal fraternity and international mission.
Born in Aragon, Spain in 1557, Joseph Calasanz gave up a promising ecclesiastical career to open the world's first free public school for poor children in Rome in 1597. He went on to found the Order of Pious Schools in 1617.
"To educate the young is to work for the future of the Church and of society."St. Joseph Calasanz
Where prayer becomes mission, and mission becomes life.
If you feel a calling to religious life and apostolic service through education, we invite you to discern your vocation with the Piarist Fathers.
