The Church honors the life of mystic St. Joseph of Cupertino on September 18, but he is probably most known for his ability to fly. Joseph was born in a stable in Cupertino, Italy on June 17, 1603, after his mother lost her house due to debts. His father, a poor carpenter, passed away before he was born.

At the age of seven, Joseph started experiencing mystical visions. He was frequently so engrossed in his visions that the other kids teased him, calling him "open-mouthed" because of the way he gaped.

He read very poorly and had an irascible disposition, which made him appear foolish and useless to others. In addition, he was unable to focus on the work at hand since he was constantly pulled into ecstasy. As a result, he lost his job quite fast after getting it.

In the end, he could secure a position and maintain a stable at a Franciscan monastery close to Cupertino. It was determined that he may start training to become a priest once it was recognized that he was holy and had a gift for penance, humility, and obedience.

Joseph was an extremely low-achieving student, but on his last test, the examiner happened to ask him a question on the one subject he was knowledgeable about. He was accepted into the priesthood after passing.

It was also soon discovered that Joseph possessed a heavenly understanding that enabled him to resolve some of the most difficult theological conundrums, despite his lack of knowledge in the world and his limited ability for learning.

During almost every Mass, he would be lifted into the air without his control, causing him to become ecstatic, which prevented him from celebrating Mass in public for the final 35 years of his priesthood. He may enter this state with simply the tiniest hint of anything related to God.

He was transferred from one friary to another due to the disturbances his ecstasies generated and the abuse he received from some of his brothers who were jealous of his gifts, yet he was never far from the delight of giving himself over to Divine Will.

After his death on September 18, 1663, Pope Clement XIII canonized him in 1767. He is the patron of students preparing for exams and air travelers.

Other Saints of the Day
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Saint Dominic Trach
Saint John Macias
Saint Ludmilla of Bohemia
Saint Methodius of Olympus