Saint Joseph of Cupertino
Stored in Cargo: Saint Joseph of Cupertino
| Saint Joseph of Cupertino | |
| Feast Day | September 18 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Aviators; Astronauts; Students; People with mental disabilities |
| Birthplace | Copertino, Apulia, Italy |
| Death Place | Osimo, Marche, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes |
| Primary Shrine | Basilica of Saint Joseph of Cupertino, Osimo, Italy |
Saint Joseph of Cupertino (born 17 June 1603, died 18 September 1663) was an Italian saint, priest, and Franciscan friar, renowned for his mystical levitations and profound simplicity. Born Giuseppe Maria Desa in Copertino, Apulia, Italy, to a poor family, he faced early hardships, including his father’s death and his own perceived dullness. Joining the Conventual Franciscans in 1625 and ordained in 1628, he became known for ecstatic visions and levitating during prayer, earning the nickname “Flying Friar.” Despite scrutiny from the Inquisition, his humility and obedience endeared him to many. Canonized by Pope Clement XIII in 1767, his relics are venerated at the Basilica of Saint Joseph of Cupertino in Osimo, Italy, and he is honored in the Catholic and Orthodox traditions.[1][2]
Saint Joseph’s life exemplifies faith amidst adversity, with his levitations—witnessed by thousands—making him a unique figure in Catholic mysticism. His simplicity and devotion inspired devotion, particularly in Apulia and beyond, despite initial skepticism from Church authorities. Celebrated on his feast day, 18 September, he is the patron saint of aviators, astronauts, students, and those with mental disabilities, reflecting his miraculous flights and humble intellect. His legacy endures in the Diocese of Nardò-Gallipoli and among Franciscans, with his story inspiring films and devotion worldwide.[3][4]
Biography
Birth
Saint Joseph of Cupertino, born Giuseppe Maria Desa on 17 June 1603 in Copertino, Apulia, Italy, was the son of Felice Desa, a carpenter, and Francesca Panaca, a devout widow.[1] His father’s death before his birth left the family in poverty, forcing them into a stable for shelter, where Joseph was born. His early years in Copertino, a small town in the Diocese of Nardò-Gallipoli, were marked by financial hardship and his own struggles with learning, earning him the nickname “Bocca Aperta” (Open Mouth) for his absent-mindedness.[3]
Despite these challenges, Joseph’s mother instilled a deep faith, fostering his devotion to prayer and the Church. His perceived simplicity and physical ailments, including a limp, shaped his humble character, preparing him for a life of spiritual intensity.[4]
Early Life
Saint Joseph of Cupertino’s early life in Copertino was fraught with difficulties. Deemed slow-witted and clumsy, he struggled in school and failed at apprenticeships, including shoemaking.[2] His piety, however, was evident, as he spent hours in prayer and sought a religious vocation. Rejected by several orders due to his lack of education, he was accepted as a lay brother by the Conventual Franciscans at Grottella in 1620, but was dismissed for his ineptitude.[5]
His persistence led to his readmission in 1625 as a tertiary, and his ecstatic visions began to manifest, drawing attention. Ordained a priest in 1628 after miraculously passing exams, Joseph’s mysticism intensified, with frequent levitations during Mass, witnessed by crowds. His early life reflects a journey from rejection to divine favor.[4]
Occupation
Saint Joseph of Cupertino’s primary occupation was as a priest and Franciscan friar, serving the Conventual Franciscans.[1] After ordination in 1628, he ministered in Copertino and surrounding areas, celebrating Mass, hearing confessions, and preaching, though his sermons were simple due to his limited learning. His levitations, occurring during prayer or Mass, became his hallmark, reported in over 70 instances and documented by witnesses, including clergy and nobles.[3]
His mystical phenomena attracted both devotion and suspicion, leading to scrutiny by the Inquisition in 1634, which confined him to various monasteries, including Assisi and Osimo. Despite restrictions, he continued his priestly duties, counseling the faithful and aiding the poor, embodying Franciscan simplicity.[2]
Vocation
Saint Joseph of Cupertino’s religious vocation was rooted in his Franciscan calling, characterized by poverty, humility, and mysticism.[5] Joining the Conventual Franciscans in 1625, he embraced the order’s emphasis on service and contemplation, inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi. His ecstatic visions and levitations, often triggered by prayer or liturgical acts, made him a living testament to divine grace, though they also led to isolation by Church authorities wary of sensationalism.[4]
His vocation involved obedience despite trials, including Inquisition interrogations and confinement in Rome, Assisi, and Osimo. His childlike faith and charity, even toward skeptics, inspired devotion, making him a model of Franciscan spirituality. His life’s challenges reinforced his reliance on God, earning him veneration as a mystic.[6]
Death
Saint Joseph of Cupertino died on 18 September 1663 in Osimo, Marche, Italy, of natural causes, likely a fever or respiratory illness.[1] Confined to the Franciscan monastery in Osimo by the Inquisition, he spent his final years in seclusion, praying and ministering to visitors despite declining health. His death was peaceful, surrounded by his Franciscan brethren, who reported a final levitation at his passing.[3]
His body was enshrined at the Basilica of Saint Joseph of Cupertino in Osimo, becoming a major pilgrimage site. Miracles attributed to his intercession soon followed, fueling his canonization process and cementing his legacy in the Diocese of Osimo.[5]
Significant events
- Joined the Conventual Franciscans at Grottella, Apulia, as a tertiary in 1625.[1]
- Ordained a priest in 1628, beginning his ministry marked by levitations.[2]
- Investigated by the Inquisition in 1634, confined to monasteries in Rome, Assisi, and Osimo.[3]
- Canonized by Pope Clement XIII on 16 July 1767, with miracles attributed to his intercession.[4]
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Copertino, Apulia, Italy
Death location: Osimo, Marche, Italy
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Parishes
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Canonization
Servant of God
The process to recognize Saint Joseph of Cupertino as a Servant of God began in the Diocese of Nardò-Gallipoli shortly after his death in 1663. The Conventual Franciscans initiated the cause, collecting testimonies of his levitations, humility, and miracles. His widespread devotion, particularly in Apulia, supported the investigation, documented by witnesses to his mystical phenomena.[3]
Venerable
Saint Joseph of Cupertino was declared Venerable in 1678 by Pope Innocent XI, recognizing his heroic virtue. The Congregation for the Causes of Saints affirmed his obedience, simplicity, and mystical experiences, despite initial skepticism from the Inquisition.[1]
Beatification
Saint Joseph of Cupertino was beatified on 24 February 1753 by Pope Benedict XIV in Rome, following the confirmation of a miracle: the healing of a noblewoman’s paralysis in 1752, attributed to his intercession.[4] The miracle was rigorously verified, allowing his veneration in the Conventual Franciscans and the Diocese of Nardò-Gallipoli.[5]
Canonization
Saint Joseph of Cupertino was canonized on 16 July 1767 by Pope Clement XIII in Saint Peter’s Basilica, Rome, after a second miracle: the healing of a child’s blindness in 1766, attributed to his intercession.[4] His canonization affirmed his universal veneration, with his feast day set for 18 September, celebrating his unique mysticism and humility.[2]
Miracles
Miracle for beatification
The miracle for Saint Joseph of Cupertino’s beatification involved the healing of a noblewoman in Apulia paralyzed for years, who recovered fully in 1752 after prayers invoking Joseph’s intercession.[4] The cure, deemed inexplicable by medical experts, was investigated by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, meeting the Church’s standards for beatification in 1753.
This miracle strengthened devotion in Apulia, where Joseph’s levitations were already legendary. Its documentation highlighted his intercessory power, particularly for physical ailments.[5]
Miracle for canonization
The miracle for Saint Joseph of Cupertino’s canonization was the healing of a child in Marche blinded by illness, who regained sight in 1766 after prayers to Joseph.[4] Verified as miraculous by the Church, this healing paved the way for his canonization by Pope Clement XIII in 1767.
The child’s recovery underscored Joseph’s appeal as a patron of the afflicted, resonating with his own struggles. The miracle’s verification affirmed his universal sanctity.[2]
Other notable miracles
- Numerous levitations, documented in over 70 instances during his life, witnessed by thousands, including clergy and nobles.[3]
Patronage
Saint Joseph of Cupertino is the patron saint of aviators, astronauts, students, and people with mental disabilities, reflecting his levitations, perceived simplicity, and aid to students struggling with exams.[4][7]
Feast day
Saint Joseph of Cupertino’s feast day is celebrated on 18 September in the Catholic and Orthodox liturgical calendars, commemorating his death in 1663.[2]
Veneration
Saint Joseph of Cupertino is venerated through prayers, novenas, and pilgrimages to the Basilica of Saint Joseph of Cupertino in Osimo, Marche, Italy, where his relics are enshrined.[3] His feast day, 18 September, is marked by Masses in the Catholic Church, and the Orthodox Church honors him, reflecting his broad appeal.[6] The basilica, housing his tomb, attracts devotees, particularly students and aviators.
He is depicted in religious art wearing a Franciscan habit, often levitating with a cross, symbolizing his mysticism. His relics inspire devotion in the Diocese of Osimo, and his story, popularized in the film *The Reluctant Saint* (1962), resonates globally.[8]
Books
Written about the saint
- Butler’s Lives of the Saints, Vol. I – Includes a biography of Saint Joseph of Cupertino, detailing his life and levitations.
- Saint Joseph of Cupertino: The Flying Patron by Angelo Pastrovicchi – A detailed study of his mysticism and sainthood.[9]
Written by the saint
- No known writings by Saint Joseph of Cupertino are preserved, as his legacy relies on oral tradition and documented miracles.[1]
External links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 "Joseph of Cupertino". Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_of_Cupertino. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "Saint Joseph of Cupertino". FranciscanMedia.org. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-joseph-of-cupertino. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 "St. Joseph of Cupertino". NewAdvent.org. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08520b.htm. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 "St. Joseph of Cupertino". Catholic.org. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=72. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 "Saint Joseph of Cupertino". CatholicSaints.info. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-joseph-of-cupertino/. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Saint of the Day – 18 September – Saint Joseph of Cupertino". Anastpaul.com. https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/18/saint-of-the-day-18-september-saint-joseph-of-cupertino-ofm-conv-1603-1663/. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
- ↑ "St. Joseph of Cupertino". CatholicNewsAgency.com. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-joseph-of-cupertino-588. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
- ↑ "The Reluctant Saint". IMDb.com. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056406/. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
- ↑ "Saint Joseph of Cupertino". Amazon.com. https://www.amazon.com/Saint-Joseph-Cupertino-Flying-Patron/dp/0895551357. Retrieved 2025-06-14.