Saint Joseph of Cupertino:

Feast day : 18 September

Today the Church celebrates the feast of Saint Joseph of Cupertino, popularly known as ‘the flying saint’ for his mystical gift of levitation. He was an Italian Conventual Franciscan friar who lived during the period 1603-1663. From his early childhood he was blessed with ecstasies that drew him into heavenly delights and consolations. After his ordination, he increased the severity of his mortification and prayers, overcoming interior and exterior trials to win further graces from God. In addition to his gift of raptures, ecstasies, levitation, he also had the gift of converting the most obstinate sinner back to faith in God. He delighted in explaining profound mysteries of faith, the knowledge of which he gained from his intimacy with God. He had the gift of prophecy, gift of miracles and could also read secrets of the heart. But amongst all his gifts, the most popular gift was the gift of levitation that earned him the name ‘the flying saint’. He is the patron saint of aircrews, astronauts, aviators, flyers, paratroopers and students.

Early life:

Saint Joseph was born on 17th June 1603 at Cupertino into a poor but virtuous family. He lost his father before he was born and utter poverty drove his mother to give birth to him in a stable. She raised him with great piety but treated him with severity, often punishing him severely for even little faults. But he was an extraordinarily blessed child who was drawn to heavenly delights and consolations from a very early age. He was known to have ecstatic visions not just in moments of deep prayer but even on the slightest mention or reminder of God. In these moments of ecstasy he would be oblivious of his surroundings, standing frozen with his mouth wide open. These ecstasies occurred quite frequently earning him the nickname “Bocca Aperta” meaning “Open Mouth”. He soon realised he could find consolation and happiness only in Jesus and sought to join a religious order. Because of his lack of education and frequent raptures that made him incompetent for any work, he was rejected by two Orders. Finally he was taken in by the Franciscans of La Grotella and became a member of their community. He finished his novitiate with great fervor, and after he made his vows he was received as a lay brother amongst the Oblates of the Third Order.

Vocational life:

Though he was employed in meanest of tasks, he did everything with perfect fidelity. He redoubled his fasts and prayers and through his humility and dedication made the provincial chapter decide on giving him a second novitiate. This time he further withdrew from the world and spent more time with God in prayer. He was ordained a priest in 1628 and celebrated his first Holy Mass with great joy and faith. After his ordination, he increased the severity of his mortifications. He chose a retired cell that was dark and incommodious and often chose to pray in the most unfrequented oratories. For five years he abstained from eating bread and wine and lived on herbs and dry fruits. His fast during Lent was even more rigorous. During these years he also suffered many interior trials which tormented him exceedingly.

His extreme austerities and prayer life resulted in greater blessings and graces. In addition to his gift of raptures, ecstasies, levitation, he also had the gift of converting the most obstinate sinner back to God. He delighted in explaining profound mysteries of faith, the knowledge of which he gained from his intimacy with God. He had the gift of prophecy, gift of miracles and could also read secrets of the heart. But amongst all his gifts, the most popular gift was the gift of levitation that earned him the name ‘the flying saint’. He actually flew over crowds of people in midair until his superior ordered him to come down. One of his most famous flights was in front of Pope Urban VIII. When he bent down to kiss the Pope’s ring, he flew almost 30 feet into the air in front of everybody and couldn’t come down until his superior ordered him to!!

Though these mystical gifts and miracles became widely popular among the people, there were complaints too against him and he was asked to appear before the Inquisition of Naples. They declared him innocent and dismissed the complaints against him. As a thanksgiving, he celebrated a Holy Mass at Naples where he fell into ecstasy during the Mass which was witnessed by many. Again the matter was raised and this time the inquisitors sent him to Rome where he was ordered to retire to the convent in Assisi (1639–1653), then briefly to Pietrarubbia and finally Fossombrone, where he lived with and under the supervision of the Capuchin friars (1653–1657).

During his solitary confinements he had many trials to endure, both interior and exterior. But his holiness shone forth even more. His superior treated him harshly and he greatly suffered from the spiritual dryness which afflicted him more than anything else. When his condition appeared to worsen, he was called to Rome. On his way to Rome, he was filled with the heavenly consolations again. His love for God intensified all the more and he would often cry out “Vouchsafe, O my God, to fill and possess all my heart. O that my soul was freed from the chains of the body, and united to Jesus Christ! Jesus, Jesus, draw me to yourself; I am not able to live any longer on the earth.”

Death & Sainthood:

In the year 1663, he fell sick of a fever and on 10 August foretold his death was near. He received the holy viaticum and extreme unction before his death. He often repeated “Oh! That my soul was freed from the shackles of my body, to be reunited to Jesus Christ! Praise and Thanksgiving be to God!. The will of God be done. Jesus crucified, receive my heart, and kindle in it the fire of your holy love.” He died on 18 September 1663 at the age of sixty.

He was laid to rest in the chapel of the Conception. He was beatified by Pope Benedict XIV in 1753 and canonized by Pope Clement XIII in 1767. He is the patron saint of aircrews, astronauts, aviators, flyers, paratroopers and students.