St. Joseph of Cupertino

St. Joseph was born in 1603 at Cupertino, in the diocese of Nardo in the Kingdom of Naples. After spending his childhood and adolescence in simplicity and innocence, he finally joined the Franciscan Friars Minor Conventual. After his ordination to the holy priesthood, he gave himself up entirely to a life of devotion to the Lord and his church. His deep devotional life led him to the kind of holiness which is forged through humility, voluntary mortification, and obedience. He was consecrated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and promoted devotion to her among all classes of people as wonderful path to a deeper Christian life and love for Jesus Christ.

It is said that his mother often considered him a nuisance and treated him harshly. Joseph was purported to be slow to learn and absent-minded. He was said to frequently wander aimlessly, with his mouth gaping open. And, he had a bad temper, so, he was not at all popular. He tried to learn the trade of shoemaking, but failed. He asked to become a Franciscan, but they initially would not accept him. Finally he did join the Capuchins. However, for a very short period of time. Eight months later, they sent him away. Sources say it was because he could not seem to do anything right. He dropped piles of dishes and kept forgetting to do what he was told. His mother was not at all pleased to have the eighteen-year-old Joseph back home again, so she finally got him accepted as a servant at the Franciscan monastery. He was given the friars habit and put to hard work taking care of the horses.

About this time, Joseph began to change. He grew in humility and gentleness, fruits of the Holy Spirit at work in a person. He became more careful and successful at his work. He also began to pray more do more voluntary acts of penance. Finally, he was able to enter the Franciscan order and, eventually, study for the priesthood. Although he was a good and holy friar, he had a very hard time with studies. During his seminary exams, the examiner happened to ask him to explain the only thing he knew well, and so he was ordained a deacon, and later a priest.

After this, the Holy Spirit began to work many amazing miracles through St. Joseph. Over seventy times, people say they saw him rise from the ground while offering mass or praying. Often he went into ecstasy and would be caught up in talking with God. He fell so deeply in love with God that everything he saw only drew him into a deeper union. He said that all the troubles of this world were nothing but the "play" battles children have with popguns. St. Joseph became so famous for the miracles that he was finally kept hidden from the public, but he was happy for the chance to be alone with his beloved Lord. On His part, Jesus never left him alone and one day came to bring him to Heaven. Pope Clement XIII canonized him in 1767. He is the patron saint of air travelers, pilots and learning disabled.

The life of this saint was marked by ecstasies and levitations. The mere mention of God or a spiritual matter was enough to take him out of his senses; at Mass he is said to have frequently floated in the air in rapture. Once as Christmas carols were being sung, he soared to the high altar and knelt in the air, in ecstatic prayer. The people flocked to him in droves seeking help and advice in the confessional, and he assisted many in living a truly devout Christian life. However, this humble man had to endure many severe trials and terrible temptations throughout his life. He died on September 18, 1663.

Liturgical Celebration

The feast of St. Joseph of Cupertino is celebrated on September 18th, during the autumn season when the Church reflects on the themes of harvest and thanksgiving. This feast is celebrated as a memorial in the Roman Catholic Church, recognizing Joseph's importance as the patron of students and air travelers and a model of trust in divine providence. The feast falls during a time when many students are beginning a new academic year, making it an ideal time to remember Joseph's special care for students and his miraculous help during his own studies. The feast provides an opportunity to honor Joseph's memory and to reflect on how we can trust in God's help during difficult times. It is also a time to pray for students, especially those who struggle with learning, and for all those who travel by air, asking for Joseph's intercession in helping them to overcome their challenges and reach their destinations safely.

Traditions and Customs

On the feast day of St. Joseph of Cupertino, many people participate in special prayers and devotions to honor his memory and seek his intercession. Churches, particularly those with connections to educational institutions or aviation ministries, hold special Masses and services. Many students gather to pray for success in their studies, asking for St. Joseph's intercession in helping them to overcome learning difficulties and achieve their academic goals. The day is also marked by prayers for air travelers and pilots, asking for Joseph's protection during flights. Many people also take time to reflect on their own struggles and difficulties and to pray for the grace to trust in God's providence, following Joseph's example of perseverance and faith. The feast is also a time to reflect on how we can better support and encourage those who face learning challenges or other difficulties in their lives.

Prayer and Devotion

The feast day is an excellent time to pray for the gift of trust in God's providence and the ability to persevere through difficulties. Many people make special petitions for students and those with learning disabilities, asking for St. Joseph's intercession in helping them to overcome their challenges and achieve their goals. The day is also a time to reflect on the importance of trusting in God's timing and to pray for the grace to believe that God can work through our weaknesses and limitations. St. Joseph's feast day encourages us to remember that we are all called to trust in God's help and that He can accomplish great things through us, even when we feel inadequate or unprepared. It is also a time to pray for the grace to seek deeper union with God and to be open to the extraordinary ways in which He can work in our lives. The feast reminds us that true success comes not from our own abilities, but from our trust in God and our willingness to surrender to His will.