St Louis and St Joseph Calasanz

     Two great and Holy Saints are revered and honored today. First, St Louis, a King of France, known as "The little French Church", in St Paul Minnesota. As patron of this Church, St Louis is a model of virtue to all as well as a Saint of great Holiness who will intercede for those that pray to him. His mother, having experienced four stillbirths, gave birth to this Divine gift, on April 25th, 1214. Regarding him as his birth a miracle. He was crowned King at the age of 12,  in Reims France, following the death of his father in 1226 until his death in 1270. He was a strong-willed ruler who reigns as a Patron Saint of France. He is associated with the "Third Order of Saint Francis".

     Then, there is Saint Joseph Calasanz. Born in Peralta Spain on September 11th, 1556. He was a priest and teacher who is a patron Saint of Roman Catholic schools. Founder of the "order of poor clerks", popularly called "the Piarists". The Piarists are a religious teaching order that in addition, to the usual vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience, practice of fourth vow. The special care of youth. His family did not support his religious calling but he went on to be ordained a priest in 1583 and eventually became "vicar" general of Tremp. He relinquished much of his inheritance and resigned this Vicariate and went to Rome in 1592, where he labored for the education of poor children. He opened Europe's first "free school" for poor children. After a crippling accident, Joseph was financially assisted by Pope's Clement VIII and Paul V, who recognized his community as a religious congregation which spread throughout all of Italy. Through much turmoil of the Order of Piarists, he was declared patron of all Christian schools by Pope Pius XII, in 1948. He died August 25th in 1648 and was canonized in 1767. 

     So many beloved friends in Heaven, to ask for their intercession, whatever need we have. Let us turn today, to these two great Saints, asking their intercession for Courage and the Holiness in the stature of our Catholic schools. 

     St Louis and St Joseph Calasanz, pray for us!