Saint Joseph of Cupertino
“The Flying Friar”
(1603 – 1663)

Saint’s Life Story

His Early Life

Joseph was born on June 17, 1603, in Cupertino, in the kingdom of Naples, Italy. His father, Felice Desa, was a poor carpenter who passed away before Joseph’s birth. Sadly, creditors forced his mother, Francesca Panara, out of their home, and Joseph was born in a stable.

When Joseph was eight years old, he began receiving ecstatic visions that were triggered by different stimuli like church bells, music, and even specific events related to Christ and the saints. These visions left him staring into space with his mouth wide open. Children made fun of him and called him “Boccaperta” or “the gaper.” He was poorly educated and could scarcely read or write, which led others to think of him as stupid. In addition, his continual ecstasies made it difficult for him to concentrate on any task. Despite his extraordinary spiritual encounters, he also possessed a hot temper, which his strict mother worked tirelessly to help him overcome. As Joseph grew older, he was apprenticed to a shoemaker.

Rejected and Dismissed as a Lay Brother

When he was seventeen, Joseph decided he wanted to become a monk or friar. Joseph applied for admission to the Conventual Franciscans of Grottella, but was rejected due to his lack of education. Undeterred, in 1620, Joseph then applied to the Capuchins and was accepted as a lay-brother. However, his frequent ecstasies made him unsuitable for work. Consequently, he was dismissed. Despite facing rejection, Joseph persevered in his prayers.

Ordained

Eventually, he was accepted as an oblate at the Franciscan convent near Cupertino. He was given the responsibility of caring for the animals in the stable and excelled in his work. He prayed and fasted and performed all his tasks to perfection. His virtuous character and devotion to the faith led him to become a cleric at the young age of 22.

Initially, Joseph was rejected for the priesthood due to his limited learning skills. Although he could recall little of what he learned, Divine Providence made his priestly vocation become a reality. The examiner questioned him on the one subject he had mastered and he passed the exam. Just three years later, at 25, Joseph was ordained as a priest.

While Joseph possessed little worldly knowledge, the Holy Spirit had gifted him with a divine knowledge that enabled him to understand profound theological mysteries. A model of purity, humility, and obedience, he had a strong devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and showed great charity toward the poor.

“The Flying Friar”

Joseph’s life became a series of remarkable visions and ecstasies. The triggering factors could be anything related to his faith, such as the sound of a church bell, music, or even the mention of God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, or a saint. Nothing could bring him out of these trances except the voice of his superior in the order. During his ecstasies, he would often levitate and float. For this reason, Joseph became known as the “The Flying Friar” and the patron saint of people involved in air travel.

Activities Restricted

Even in the 17th century, Joseph’s ecstatic experiences in public stirred both admiration and disturbance within the community. Joseph became so famous for these miracles that he was often followed by large crowds of people and had to be kept hidden.

So, this led to strict regulations imposed on him for 35 years. He was prohibited from attending choir, going to the common refectory, or participating in processions. In order to prevent making a spectacle out of his ecstasies, Joseph was confined to his room, which included a private chapel.

During the last thirty-five years of his life, Joseph was unable to celebrate Mass because of his incessant ecstasies which were easily triggered. However, he was later allowed to celebrate Mass in his private chapel.

As time went on, Joseph was brought before the Inquisition and was continuously moved between various Capuchin and Franciscan houses. However, despite facing these challenges, he remained joyful and submitted himself to Divine Providence. He never allowed his faith to be shaken and continued to observe seven Lents of 40 days each year.

His Death

Joseph of Cupertino passed away on September 18, 1663, in Ossimo, Italy, from a severe and rapidly developed fever. He was laid to rest in the Crypt of the Sanctuary in the Church of Saint Francis in Ossimo.

Born:                   June 17, 1603, in Cupertino, Italy

Died:                   September 18, 1663, in Ossimo, Italy

Beatified:           February 24, 1753 by Pope Benedict XIV

Canonized:        July 16, 1767 by Pope Clement XIII

Feast Day:         September 18

Patron Saint:    Air Crews; Air Travelers; Astronauts; Aviators; Cupertino, Italy; Flyers; Osimo, Italy; Paratroopers; Pilots; Students; Test Takers

Source:

• • America Needs Fatima – Saint Joseph of Cupertino
  • St. Joseph of Cupertino: A “Stupid” Man or a Spiritually Gifted Saint? (catholicfire.blogspot.com)
  • CatholicSaints.Info » Saint Joseph of Cupertino
  • Saint Joseph of Cupertino – Saint for a Minute: Blesseds & Saints
  • Joseph of Cupertino – Wikipedia

Prayers

Video Link

Joseph of Cupertino – YouTube (Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network – USA)