From 25 to 28 March 2026, the canonical visitation to the Piarist presence in Costa Rica, belonging to the Province of Central America and the Caribbean, took place. This General Canonical Visitation is carried out every six years in all the Demarcations of the Pious Schools. The General Canonical Visitation has at its inspirational centre one question: What culture of the Order is God inviting us to cultivate today as Pious Schools, so that our presence may continue to be Good News tomorrow as well?
For this particular occasion, Father General Carles Gil i Saguer, Sch. P., delegated this responsibility to the General Assistant for America, Fr Julio Alberto Álvarez, Sch. P. During the visitation, he met with the brothers of the community of San José, Costa Rica: Fr Ángel Cuevas Villamañan, Sch. P.; Fr Rodolfo Robert Esquivel, Sch. P.; Fr Federico Calcáneo Astúa, Sch. P.; and Fr Esteban Barrantes Grant, Sch. P. Also present during the visitation was the Provincial, Fr Juan Alfonso Serra Mora, Sch. P.
The visitation gave rise to very inspiring and constructive dialogues, as well as moments of mutual learning. The group of Directors and the School Proprietor (Agnes, Orlando, Lyl, Fr Rodolfo Robert) presented the work they have carried out over these years, sharing both the lights and the concerns they perceive in their day-to-day leadership of the school as signs that help them to cultivate the Pious Schools that we need. Challenges will never be lacking, but the joys are evident and are bearing fruits of great hope for children and young people in Costa Rica. The strongest emphasis that is lived there is the sense of family and the connection with the students and former students, creating a climate of safety and growth, of accompaniment and collaboration, of learning and social action. This is the hallmark that distinguishes the generations who, sometime later, return to their school as teachers, volunteers, members of the Calasanz Movement, catechists in the Calasanz Movement, parents, and members of the Piarist educational community, and so forth.
Another important achievement promoted by the School is dialogue and connection with different levels of government, as well as with national and international civil associations. For example, through the Spanish Embassy there is an agreement involving the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sport and the Colegio Calasanz Hispanocostarricense.
For its part, the pastoral department (Fr Esteban Barrantes, Inés, Priscila, Diana, Ma. Laura) also shared, during the General Canonical Visitation, the heart of its action and dedication in the lives of children and young people.
The Calasanz Movement is a very particular experience that inspires hope, solidity, maturity and continuity of the charism through young people who take joy in returning to their school and continuing their formation and growth in faith with the four groups of the DICER stage (Kayros, Talita-Kum, Ruhaj, Effetá), or else through CNU (Calasanz Nos Une), a systematic and inspiring experience of volunteering and Social Action.
During the meeting held in the context of the General Canonical Visitation, the young leaders of the Calasanz Movement(Fr Esteban Barrantes, Camila, Ignacio, Marcelo, Igor, and Esteban — who is the General Coordinator of the Calasanz Movement) described the current “snapshot” of the experience of every person who lives this pastoral process in Costa Rica. What emerges is the experience of a movement that is very strong in belonging, community experience and vocational living, with great potential for adult continuity, given their status as former students and their stage of life.
Likewise, Calasanz Nos Une (CNU) is made up of its president, Julián Zúñiga, and its council formed by Emili, Cecilia, Samantha, and Aurora. All of them are former students of Colegio Calasanz, with experience in volunteering, and they are accompanied by Fr Rodolfo Robert and Fr Federico Calcáneo (who is responsible for the SOLCA Foundation).
The programme is centred on two axes: work with children from low-income backgrounds and in situations of social vulnerability, and a youth volunteer programme through which young people are provided with formation and tools for the management of free time, leadership and social commitment. In a genuine and creative way, they organise camps with boys and girls at social risk.
The General Canonical Visitation also included a visit to the two educational projects for young people in particular socio-economic circumstances: a day school and a flexible curriculum that provides academic formation to young people who belong to a professional football club.
During the visitation, Fr Julio Alberto Álvarez also took part in different activities connected with the end of Holy Week and the beginning of the school break within the educational community: a Way of the Cross with the whole Colegio Calasanz, and a Lenten retreat for all the teaching, service and administrative staff.
We are grateful for the dedication of all those who sow the Good News of the Pious Schools in San José, Costa Rica, as well as for the preparation and carrying out of all these activities. Congratulations, and a joyful celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus.
