Which Catholic saint founded the Piarist order in Rome in 1617?

Joseph Calasanz founded the Piarist order in Rome in 1617.

Calasanz was born in Peralta de la Sal, Spain, in 1557 and became a priest. After moving to Rome, he worked among poor children and became convinced that free education could help transform their lives. In 1597, he opened a school at Santa Dorotea in Trastevere, widely regarded as Europe’s first free public school.

To organize this educational work, he established the Congregation of the Religious Schools in 1617. Its members became known as the Piarists, or Scolopi, and dedicated themselves especially to educating children and young people.

Calasanz faced opposition late in life, but the order continued after his death. He died in Rome in 1648 and was canonized in 1767 by Pope Clement XIII. He is also known as Saint Joseph Calasanctius.