Saint of the day September 18, 2024

St. Joseph was born in Cupertino, Naples in 1603. He was said to be forgetful, clumsy, and just too odd for fellow Christians to tolerate him as a young man. He wandered around the town, staring at everything, trying to take it all in. He found it very hard to learn, and was not often befriended. Even his mother saw him as a nuisance and treated him harshly. When he turned seventeen, he decided to become a monk or friar. The Franciscans would not take him, saying he was stupid; the Capuchins threw him out after eight months because he broke everything. Eventually a Franciscan Order took him in as a stable boy in La Grotella. He had a very strong devotion to the Blessed Mother Mary, and always promoted her to everyone he met. His job was to take care of the horses, which was a lot of hard work.

It was at this time that Joseph began to change, and he grew considerably, more humble, gentle, and more careful to be successful at his work. He began to do more penance as well. The Order decided that he could become a real member, and so it was then, that he started studying for the priesthood. His behavior was good, but he struggled with learning. Finally he became a deacon, and later on a priest.

Once he became a Deacon and Priest, God starting working amazing miracles through St. Joseph of Cupertino. Many times, multitudes of people witnessed his rising from the ground while saying Mass or praying. He would levitate sometimes for long periods of time, and would fall into ecstasy and would be completely wrapped up in conversation with God. This was witnessed many times by the people who came to church, when he took the service. He became so holy that he couldn’t focus on anything but God, seeing Him in everything and everywhere. He also became so famous for his multitude of miracles that he had to be kept in hiding.

The people would come to him in masses, seeking help and advice. They would meet him in the confessional and he converted many. His life was marked by numerous and long periods of ecstasies and levitations. Some of the reported miracles were that he would float high into the air at Mass in rapture. Sometimes, during some Christmas carols that were being sung, he soared to the high Altar and knelt in the air in prayer; and he floated with a huge cross that measured thirty-six feet high through the air as if it were nothing. This humble man had to endure many trials, and even meals were a constant souce of extraordinary, miraculous behaviors for his fellow religious. He passed away on September 18th, 1663. Pope Clement XIII canonized him in 1767 and he was made parton of air travelers and pilots in the twentieth century.

Reflection

Because of his ability to levitate during prayer, a feat, which Saint Joseph was often ashamed, he was frequently treated poorly by his fellow clergy. For periods of time, he was even exiled from his community. Although it is undoubtedly impressive that St. Joseph levitated while he prayed, that which made him a saint was not his levitation abilities, but his profound humility and willingness to maintain his faith and obedience even in the face of intense persecution. He continued to love and obey his fellow clergy and his superiors despite their poor treatment of him.

His life teaches us a true lesson in humility, that with profound spiritual humility, we too, can be in union with God and his will for us.