On September 18, the Church commemorates St. Joseph of Cupertino, a mystic priest remembered across the centuries for his extraordinary gift of levitation and his deep, childlike trust in God.
Joseph was born on June 17, 1603, in Cupertino, a small town in southern Italy. His life began in poverty and hardship—his father, a struggling carpenter, died before his birth, leaving the family in debt. His mother, unable to repay what was owed, lost their home and brought Joseph into the world in a stable.
From the age of seven, Joseph began experiencing mystical visions that set him apart from other children. Lost in rapture, he often appeared absent-minded, earning the nickname “open-mouthed” for his habit of gazing heavenward in wonder. His fiery temper, inability to concentrate, and struggles with reading left many dismissing him as unintelligent or incapable. Frequent lapses into ecstasy made it nearly impossible for him to hold any form of employment.
Eventually, Joseph was given a humble role tending the stables at a Franciscan convent. There, his life began to change. His simplicity, humility, and willingness to embrace penance did not go unnoticed by the friars. Over time, it was discerned that God was calling him to the priesthood, though his poor academic skills remained a challenge.
When the day of his ordination exam arrived, Providence intervened. The examiner posed a question from the very topic Joseph had studied carefully. He answered correctly and was admitted to the priesthood, a moment that revealed God’s hand at work in his weakness.
Though Joseph never became a scholar in the traditional sense, those around him began to recognize that he possessed a wisdom not of books but of divine illumination. He could unravel profound theological questions, not through study but through a knowledge infused by God Himself.
Yet Joseph’s priestly ministry was marked by a phenomenon that would make him famous and at times a source of disturbance. Whenever he entered deep prayer, even at the mere mention of God’s name, he would be lifted bodily into the air, unable to resist the ecstasy. This miraculous levitation became both a sign of God’s presence and a challenge for the friaries that tried to accommodate him. For much of his final 35 years, Joseph was not permitted to celebrate Mass publicly, as the awe and disruption caused by his flights drew too much attention.
Despite being transferred repeatedly and enduring suspicion and jealousy from some of his fellow friars, Joseph never wavered in his trust in Divine Providence. His life became a witness to the joy found in surrendering fully to God’s will, even amid misunderstanding and hardship.
St. Joseph of Cupertino died on September 18, 1663, at the age of 60. A century later, in 1767, Pope Clement XIII canonized him, affirming his place among the saints. Today, he is honored as the patron saint of air travelers because of his mystical flights and of students preparing for exams, recalling both his struggles and his divinely guided success in studies.
St. Joseph’s life remains a striking reminder that God often chooses the weak and overlooked to display His power and glory.