Saint Joseph Calasanctius, Founder of the Piarist Order ST. JOSEPH CALASANCTIUS (San Jose Calasanz) 9/11/1556 (1557?) - 8/25/1648 Founder of the Clerks Regular of the Religious Schools (Piarists or Scolopi) Joseph Calasanctius was born to Maria Gaston and Pedro Calasanz in the family castle near Peralta de la Sal in Aragon, the youngest of five children. He studied the humanities at Estadilla, where his piety and virtue earned him the disrespect of his classmates. Though his father hoped he would be a soldier, Joseph went instead to the University of Lerida, where he took a doctorate in law. He...