Piarist Identity

One of the lines of action adopted by the General Chapter in 2015 was “to “advance a process of deepening the identity of the Calasanctian School in order to cultivate and strengthen the proper character that we Piarists must realise in our educational mission”. To this end, the Secretariat of the Ministry has elaborated some formative themes for the educators of our Piarist works.

The first article, “Criteria for Formation in the Key of Identity”, is specifically addressed to those who are responsible for shaping and promoting the formation of educators. The most consistent formation is that which is able to transmit a charismatic identity, a much deeper and more complex task than reading a book or holding workshops. The educator receives identity when he lives his work as a mission and feels charismatically connected to the Pious Schools.

In the following articles, each of the ten indicators of Calasanctian quality is explained. Each article begins with a reflection on how this dimension appears in the origins of the Pious Schools and how it is understood today from the Piarist praxis and reflection. Some orientations are offered which should be included in the educational project and some indications for the personal evaluation of the educator. Finally, some questions for personal or collective reflection are suggested.

The material is versatile and can be proposed for study by educators at any stage of their training. It is intended for sharing in a small group and to stimulate reflection on personal experiences. The point is not to know a lot about Calasanz, but to learn to relate one’s own personal experience to the Calasanctian story in such a way that a magical connection emerges from the depth of what is experienced.

We believe that the most effective training is that which offers meaningful experiences that touch the vocation core of the person, experiences that trigger a growth process in the educational vocation. These experiences are only meaningful if there are vibrant communities of reference, serious ways of finding identity and a good structure of accompaniment.

The texts are only a mirror in which to look at oneself, a lamp that lights the way. What is important is what each educator discovers and shares with their companion, what is imagined and dreamed together. Formation in the key of identity is a process capable of generating new life, of actualising the charism together and of building a common identity of Calasanz.

To fulfil the mission, we Piarists have received a charism that comes from God, a Calasanctian reading of the Gospel, a history, our own spirituality and pedagogy, people in communion, schools and specific institutions that enable us to make Jesus, the Master, and the motherhood of his Church present to the little ones.

“Mission is the dynamic and fruitful expression of identity, because – as the parable of the talents suggests – identity is not a treasure to be guarded and jealously hidden in a safe place, but a heritage to be “invested” and made available as a gift so that it may bear fruit”.

We are convinced that the study of the themes presented in this book can help our educators to discover the precious treasure of the Piarist charism.