Chiesa di San Giuseppe Calasanzio

In 1962, a vision took root in Milan. A vision spearheaded by Giovanni Montini, the then Archbishop of Milan who would later become Pope Paul VI. This vision was the “Twenty-Two Churches for Twenty-Two Councils” program. One of these churches, the Chiesa di San Giuseppe Calasanzio, stands before us today. Completed in 1965, the Chiesa di San Giuseppe Calasanzio is a modern marvel designed by architect Carlo Bevilacqua and engineer Francesco Leone. Located near Piazzale Axum in the San Siro district, this church isn’t just a building. It’s a testament to the spirit of the Second Vatican Council. The Chiesa di San Giuseppe Calasanzio is dedicated to the founder of the Piarist Fathers, Saint Joseph Calasanzio. Canonized in 1767 by Pope Clement XIII, Calasanzio devoted his life to the education of poor children. Inside, the cross-shaped design draws your eye to the main altar. Three naves embrace the congregation, while the fourth houses the apse. Two side chapels, one dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament and the other to Saint Charles Borromeo, serve the daily needs of the faithful. The focal point of the Chiesa di San Giuseppe Calasanzio is the high altar. Behind it, a magnificent mosaic by Franco d’Urso, based on a design by Baccio Maria Bacci, adorns the apse wall. It depicts Saint Joseph Calasanzio surrounded by children, among them Glicerio Landriani, a Piarist and grandnephew of St. Charles Borromeo. The mosaic, bathed in golden hues, serves as a powerful reminder of Calasanzio’s mission. Above the altar, two stained-glass windows by Baccio Maria Bacci feature symbols of the four Evangelists. These windows, along with others by Ernesto Tross around the church’s perimeter, bathe the interior in a kaleidoscope of color. The Chiesa di San Giuseppe Calasanzio is more than just a place of worship. It is a vibrant hub of community life, a place where faith and education intertwine, continuing the legacy of the saint it honors.