1557
In Peralta de la Sal (Huesca), in the Kingdom of Aragon (present-day Spain), José de Calasanz Gastón, son of Pedro and María, was born.
The Calasanz Gaston family consisted of 8 children: John, Mary, Joan, Magdalene, Hope, Elizabeth, Peter and Joseph.
1571
He began his university studies in Arts or Philosophy and Law in Lérida. Subsequently, he studied theology in Valencia, Alcalá de Henares (unconfirmed) and Lérida, finishing with the title of Doctor of Theology.
1583
Il 17 dicembre fu ordinato sacerdote nel palazzo-castello episcopale di Sanahuja (Lérida).
1587
Secretary of the chapter of Urgel and master of ceremonies. He is preceptor, teacher, master and tutor of his servant James John Coromines, who later on would be ordained priest.
1592
Arrives in Rome at the end of January or February. Lives in Palazzo Colonna in Piazza dei Dodici Apostoli until 1602.
1617
When the "Pauline Congregation of the Poor of the Mother of God of the Pious Schools" was approved, Joseph Calasanz was appointed Prefect General.
1642
On Friday 8th August, in confusing circumstances, Calasanz and four other Piarists were taken to the Holy Office.
1646
Fr. Joseph Calasanz experienced one of the greatest challenges: the reduction of the Order of the Pious Schools to a Congregation without vows. An event that could have made Calasanz desist, but actually led him to consolidate with greater strength the charism he had received.
1748
On 18th August, the first century after his death, Joseph Calasanz was proclaimed Blessed by Pope Benedict XIV.
1948
In the middle of the 3rd Centenary of the death of St. Joseph Calasanz, Pope Pius XII, by the Brief Providentíssimus Deus of August 13, 1948, proclaimed him "Universal Patron of all Christian popular schools".
1568
He studied Grammar or Secondary Education in Estadilla, at the school of the Trinitarian Fathers. During this time, he wrote Latin poems dedicated to the Trinity and the Eucharist.
1582 - 1583
He completed his theology studies at the University of Lérida.
1584
In Barbastro he was a "relative" of the bishop Philip de Urríes y Urríes, being the "master-priest" of his pages to whom he taught grammar with all discipline and good manners.
1589
He is a "relative" of the bishop of Urgel, Friar Andrew Capilla. During his years in Urgel, he must have known about the plans of Dr. Gervás de la Eras to found religious schools for the education of the children and young people of the Pyrenees.
1597
In April or May, in the Church of Santa Dorotea in Trastevere (in Rome), Calasanz finds a school founded probably by the parish priest Antonio Brandini, where children from the neighbourhood attend, being only a few of them free of charge. He thus lays the foundations of the first free popular school in Europe, calling it the Pious Schools, as it is dedicated only to poor children.
1621
He writes the Memorandum to Cardinal Michael Angel Tonti defending the elevation of his Congregation to a religious Order of solemn vows; which he achieves on the 18th November when Pope Gregory XV declares the Pious Schools to be an Order of Cleric Regulars, with Father Joseph Calasanz being appointed as Superior General.
1643
As a result of the investigations carried out by the Holy Office, Calasanz is suspended as Superior General.
1648
On August 1st Calasanz celebrates his last Eucharist. On Sunday, August 2nd, he receives communion at the Oratory, in the Eucharist of the students celebrated by Fr. Vincent Berro.
With an admirable inner peace and with a certain hope that thesituation of his schools will be remedied, the Founder died in San Pantaleo, surrounded by his religious, on August 25, 1648. His funeral was a veritable apotheosis which the Roman people paid tribute to Father Joseph, "the saint", as the children repeated.
1767
On July 16, 1767, Joseph Calasanz was proclaimed Saint by Clement XIII.