Feast of St. Joseph Calasanctius (Calasanz), Confessor and Religious Founder: Missa “Venite”
St. Joseph Calasanctius was born in Aragon in 1556. Having become a priest it was revealed to him that he should teach the children of the poor. He founded the Order of the Poor Clerks Regular of the Pious Schools of the Mother of God. He was ever a devout pilgrim at the shrines of the martyrs, and daily visited the Churches of Rome, where he lived for fifty years. He died August 25, 1648.
From Aragon, where he was born in 1556, to Rome, where he died 92 years later, fortune alternately smiled and frowned on the work of Joseph Calasanz. A priest with university training in canon law and theology, respected for his wisdom and administrative expertise, he put aside his career because he was deeply concerned with the need for education of poor children.
When he was unable to get other institutes to undertake this apostolate at Rome, Joseph and several companions personally provided a free school for deprived children. So overwhelming was the response that there was a constant need for larger facilities to house their effort. Soon, Pope Clement VIII gave support to the school, and this aid continued under Pope Paul V. Other schools were opened; other men were attracted to the work, and in 1621 the community—for so the teachers lived—was recognized as a religious community, the Clerks Regular of Religious Schools—Piarists or Scolopi. Not long after, Joseph was appointed superior for life.
A combination of various prejudices and political ambition and maneuvering caused the institute much turmoil. Some did not favor educating the poor, for education would leave the poor dissatisfied with their lowly tasks for society! Others were shocked that some of the Piarists were sent for instruction to Galileo—a friend of Joseph—as superior, thus dividing the members into opposite camps. Repeatedly investigated by papal commissions, Joseph was demoted; when the struggle within the institute persisted, the Piarists were suppressed. Only after Joseph’s death were they formally recognized as a religious community.
INTROIT Psalm 33:2
Come, children, harken to me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord. ( Ps.33: 2 ) I will hurt the Lord at all times: His praise shall be in my mouth. V. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Repeat Come …
COLLECT
O God, Who, through St. Joseph, Thy Confessor, did not help to provide Thy Church with a new aid for the education of youth in the spirit of piety and understanding, grant us, we beseech Thee, so to do, and to teach after his example that we can achieve eternal rewards. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. R.Amen.
EPISTLE Ecclesiasticus 31: 10-14
Lesson from the Book of Wisdom. The Lord led the way through the right ways, and showed up the kingdom of God, and gave him the knowledge of the holy things; made him honorable in his labors, and accomplished his labors. In the death of those who overreached him, He stood by him, and made him honorable. He kept him safe from his enemies, and defended him from seducers, and gave him a strong conflict, that he might overcome, and know that wisdom is more important than all. She did not go out of her way, but she did not go out of her way. ; and showed them to be loved by the Lord of God.
GRADUAL/ALLELUIA Psalm 36:30-31
The mouth of the just shall meditate wisdom, and his tongue shall speak judgment. V. The law of his God is in his heart and his steps shall not be supplanted. Alleluia, alleluia. V. ( James 1: 12 ) Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he hath been proved he shall receive the crown of life. Alleluia.
GOSPEL St Matthew 18:1-5
At that time, the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who, thinkest Thou, is the greater in the kingdom of Heaven?” And Jesus calling to Him a little child, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Amen I say to you, unless you are converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven. shall be humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven and he shall receive such a child in my name, receiveth Me. “
OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Psalm 9:17
The Lord hath heard the desire of the poor
SECRET
We heap Thine altar, O Lord, with gifts offered to thee, that they may be made for mercy by their patronage Thou hast granted us to be assisted. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. R.Amen.
PREFACE of the Common
It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation that we should at all times and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God: through Christ our Lord. Through Whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, the Dominations worship it, the Powers stand in awe. The Heavens and the Heavenly hosts together with the blessed Seraphim in triumphant chorus unite to celebrate it. Together with them we entreat Thee, that Thou mayest bid our voices also to be admitted, while we say in lowly praise:
COMMUNION ANTIPHON St Mark 10:14
Suffer little children to come to Me, and forbid them not, for such is the kingdom of God.
POSTCOMMUNION
Sanctified by the mystery of salvation, O Lord, we pray that, by the intercession of St. Joseph, Thy confessor, we may progress to a greater increase of piety. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. R.Amen.
The Brighton Oratory 