The Church commemorates the life of St. Joseph of Cupertino on September 18; he was a mystic who is perhaps most known for his ability to fly. Joseph was born on June 17, 1603, in a stable in Cupertino, Italy. His mother lost her home as a result of her inability to pay debts after his father, a poor carpenter, passed away before his birth.

It is believed that his mother frequently treated him severely and thought he was an inconvenience. Joseph was said to be sluggish to learn and forgetful. He was often seen wandering aimlessly while his mouth was wide open. He was not at all liked and had a nasty temper. He attempted to become a shoemaker but was unsuccessful. He asked to join the Franciscan order but they turned him down. He eventually did join the Capuchin order but just for a short time as they expelled him after eight months.

Joseph, who was then eighteen, returned home to his mother's displeasure. She eventually managed to get him engaged as a servant at the Franciscan convent. He was assigned to the hard chore of caring for the horses and given the friar's habit.

Joseph started to change around this time. He developed gentleness and humility. He improved as a cautious and productive worker. Additionally, he increased his voluntary deeds of penance and his prayer. He could finally join the Franciscan order and eventually begin his studies to become a priest. Despite being a good and devout friar, he struggled greatly in school. During his seminary exams, the examiner asked him to explain the single thing he understood well, and as a result, he was ordained a deacon, and eventually a priest.

Following this, the Holy Spirit started using St. Joseph to perform other incredible miracles. He was unable to celebrate Mass in public for the last 35 years of his priesthood because he was frequently lifted into the air when he got into an ecstatic state, which happened at practically every Mass. This state could have been brought on in him with only the tiniest mention of God or anything related to him.

St. Joseph was finally kept secret from the public because of his fame for doing miracles, but he was grateful for the opportunity to spend time by himself with his much-loved Lord. Jesus, on the other hand, never abandoned him and one day arrived to take him to Heaven. On September 18, 1663, he passed away. Pope Benedict XIV beatified him in 1753, and Pope Clement XIII canonized him in 1767. He is revered as the patron saint of pilots, learning-disabled people, and air travelers.

Other Saints of the Day
Saint Dominic Trach
Saint Ferreolus
Saint Basilides
Saint Ludmilla of Bohemia
Saint Richardis