Saint Joseph Calasanctius

Joseph Calasanz, born Joseph de Calassanç on September 11, 1557, and died on August 25, 1648, was a Spanish Catholic priest and educator. He is renowned for founding the Pious Schools, which provided free education to poor boys. To support this mission, he established the religious order commonly known as the Piarists. His work in education earned him recognition; he became a close friend of the famous astronomer Galileo Galilei. Joseph Calasanz was canonized by Pope Clement XIII on May 28, 1767, and is celebrated as a saint within the Catholic Church.