Spirituality of Calasanz
With his faithful and generous devotion to the plan of God, Calasanz configure a
lifestyle that shows the way on how to follow Christy by all his Piarists children.
As the founder of our religious family he proposed to us especially in his constitutions,
the spiritual itinerary, characteristics of our Piarist vocation. He encouraged us to
follow them in his letters.
1. Self-Knowledge
“It is a good start of spiritual life, the knowledge of our own self and the misery in
which we were all born; and that knowledge of our ungratefulness towards God in
site of all the benefits and mercies we have received… if we exercise this step with
diligence… you will have some knowledge of God.” (EP C 1339)
Self-knowledge leads to the discovery of our own passions and later can lead to the
discovery of God. This requires the help and accompaniment f a spiritual guide and
community.
2. Prayer
“The odor of a good religious consists in making himself a living portrait of Jesus
Christ. With this purpose it would be necessary for him to grow by means of inner
prayer in the community, contemplating each day, Jesus on the Cross and His
virtues.” (EP c.1563)
For Calasanz prayer occupies a prominent place in the Piarist vocation. In the
memorial to Cardinal Tonti he talks about the contemplative ministry of the Order as
an intimate union with the educational ministry, as a more perfectly blended life.
The atmosphere of prayer, silence and lively presence of God in our daily tasks serve
as our full participation of the liturgical celebrations.
3. Participation on his passion
“…when you start begging think that you are walking behind Jesus carrying his cross,
even though there is no comparison with Christ who was carrying His for the love of
us all. (EP)c.2219
Christ place real happiness on the cross. Even though it is too difficult to lead our
lives according to his cross it has so much goodness and consolation within itself.
The lord mortifies in this life those he love like his children so that they will not suffer
in eternity. (EP c.1468)
4. Renewal of Vows
“The renewal of the solemn vows or of the profession made by pure love to God is an
action that pleases the eyes of the Lord.” (EP. C.4028)
In order to go over these spiritual ways with steady steps and ever renewed
enthusiasm, Calasanz recommends a daily renovation of our vows.
5. Obedience for the Love of God
“If the Piarist does not conform himself to obedience … he will never be a disciple in
the school of Christ.” (EP c.526)
Obedience will be easily reached if you get to see Christ, the Lord in any superior
even if he orders to do something difficult and disgusting. (CC, 99) – Christology
The conflicts with the superior – the Lord trial His servants by mean of their superiors
so that humilyt becomes evident… (EP 1127)
6. Poverty
“The religious will love venerable poverty as the firmest defense of our
congregation…” (CC 137)
Poverty teaches us how to be very poor and simple men of apostolic life. It was
evident in the austerity and simplicity of garments and meals.
The poorer we become of God the greater the love we feel for him.
7. Humility in Educating children
“Education is a different necessary and specific ministry in the church, …and
unsubstituted ministry and perhaps the principal one for reformation. A mission most
worthy, noble, meritorious, beneficent, useful, necessary, reasonable, worthy of
thanks and glorious.” (Tonti, n. Tonti, n. 4-6)
“as for the acceptance of the poor children, you are dong what is holy, and he reason
why our institute was founded for. Whatever you do for them is done for Christ.”
(EPc.1445)
8. The poor of the mother of God
“he used to say he was worthless slave of the virgin… and I, having asked Fr. Joseph,
what is the name of the congregation you have just founded? He answered: its name
is Poor of the Mother of God…” BC p.491
The meaning of the word poor in his time was evangelical man or apostolic man.
Being of the mother of God he wanted daily community prayers addressed to Mary,
besides personal devotions in the life of any Piarist. (CC 47; EP 1459)
