Portal:Catholicism/Patron Archive/September 18 2007
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Saint Joseph of Cupertino (or Giuseppe da Copertino, born Giuseppe Maria Desa) (June 17, 1603 – September 18, 1663) was an Italian saint. He was said to have been remarkably unclever, but prone to miraculous levitation and intense ecstasies that left him gaping.
Joseph was born in Copertino, Apulia. As a child, Joseph was a remarkably slow witted. He is also said to have had a violent temper.
When he was 17, Joseph attempted to join the Friars Minor Conventuals, but his lack of education prevented him from gaining admittance. Eventually, in his early twenties, he was admitted into a Franciscan friary near Cupertino. He had a learning disability, and legend has it that he would study intently for one small section of the material, because that was all he was able to do, and prayed that the material he studied would be what he was tested on.
On hearing the names of Jesus or Mary, the singing of hymns, during the feast of St. Francis, or while praying at Mass, he would go into dazed state and soar into the air, remaining there until a superior commanded him under obedience to revive.
Among other paranormal events associated with him, Joseph is said to have possessed the gift of healing. Legend holds he once cured a girl who was suffering from a severe case of measles. Another story holds that an entire community suffering from a drought asked Joseph to pray for rain, which he did with success.
When he accompanied his provincial on his visitations, Joseph would fall into ecstasy and inspire other friars to a greater evangelical perfection. Joseph was made an honorary citizen of Assisi and a full member of the Franciscan community.
Over time, Joseph attracted a huge following. To stay this, Pope Innocent X decided to move Joseph from Assisi and place him in a secret location. Pope Alexander VIII released Joseph to the friary in Osimo, where the Pope's nephew was the local bishop. There, Joseph was ordered to live in seclusion.
He died on the evening of September 18, 1663.
Attributes: Levitation, dullness
Patronage: Aviation, astronomy, mental handicaps, test taking
Prayer:
