Saint Joseph of Cupertino

Saint Joseph of Cupertino was a humble man who became known for strange and beautiful things. He was born in 1603 in Cupertino, a small town in southern Italy. He grew up poor, with many struggles. Later in life, he became a Franciscan friar and a priest. He is often called “The Flying Saint” because he would sometimes rise off the ground while praying.

Some people also call him Giuseppe da Copertino, which is his name in Italian. Others just call him Saint Joseph. But in this article, we will call him Saint Joseph of Cupertino. His life was simple and quiet, yet filled with things that many found hard to explain.

He did not seek attention. In fact, he often tried to hide. But people came to know about his strange gifts. Some were amazed. Others doubted him. He stayed calm and trusted God.

Even though he became famous later in life, his story began with rejection, struggle, and pain. He was not a strong student. He was not quick with words. But he loved God deeply, and he gave his whole life to prayer.

His story gives hope to people who feel weak or left out. He shows that a simple person can become holy by staying faithful, patient, and full of love.

Saint Joseph of Cupertino had a very hard childhood. His father died before he was born, and his mother struggled to care for him. They were very poor. They had almost nothing. Even neighbors often looked down on them.

As a child, Joseph was quiet and sometimes slow to learn. He had trouble in school. He often forgot things and was not good at reading or speaking. Some people thought he was not very smart. But inside, he had a strong love for God.

He would often pray alone. He liked to visit churches. He spent hours thinking about Jesus. Even though others made fun of him, he stayed kind and gentle. He did not get angry or try to prove himself.

When he got older, he wanted to join a religious order. He tried to become a friar, but he was rejected many times. Some groups thought he would not be useful. Others thought he was too weak.

At last, the Franciscans accepted him—but only to help in the stables. He cleaned and worked hard. Slowly, the friars saw how faithful he was. After a time, they allowed him to become a member of the order.

It took many years and many failures, but Joseph never gave up. He trusted that God had a place for him.

When Saint Joseph of Cupertino was accepted into the Franciscan order, he gave himself fully to the life of prayer and service. He obeyed his superiors, helped with daily chores, and spent long hours in silence.

He was not skilled in study, but he was preparing for the priesthood. His biggest worry was passing the tests. He feared he would be sent away. But during the exam, he was asked a question about the only part of Scripture he had studied well. He passed and was allowed to become a priest.

This moment became one of the reasons why students began to pray to him for help, especially when they were nervous about tests.

As a priest, Joseph continued to serve with a humble heart. He did not want special treatment. He loved saying Mass and praying before the tabernacle. He cared for others and tried to bring peace wherever he went.

Many people began to notice something special about him. During prayer, he would sometimes fall into deep silence and become unaware of the world around him. Some said he would float off the ground during these moments.

He did not understand why this happened. He did not ask for it. But he stayed close to God and tried not to let these events change his simple way of life.

One of the most unusual things about Saint Joseph of Cupertino was that he would sometimes float or rise into the air while praying. These events are called levitations. They happened often, and many people saw them.

He would be praying deeply, and then his body would rise. Sometimes it happened during Mass or in church. Other times it happened when he was talking about God or hearing music that lifted his soul.

People began to talk about him. Some came to see the strange events. Others thought he was pretending. Joseph did not try to prove anything. He often felt ashamed of the attention. He only wanted to pray and be left in peace.

His superiors sometimes kept him hidden so crowds would not gather. They tried to protect him from those who did not believe. He obeyed, even when it was hard. He wanted only to serve God.

He also had moments where he seemed to know things without being told. Some said he could see what was in people’s hearts. Others said he helped them feel close to God just by being near him.

Still, Joseph never thought of himself as special. He said he was weak and poor and that anything good in him came from God alone.

Saint Joseph of Cupertino did not have an easy life, even after joining the Franciscans. Because of the strange events during prayer, Church leaders kept moving him from one place to another. They wanted to see if he was really holy or just trying to fool people.

He never argued. He obeyed and went where he was told. Sometimes he was alone for long periods. He missed saying Mass with others and talking to his brothers. But he stayed faithful.

He often said that being alone with God was enough for him. He did not need praise. He did not need approval. He only wanted to do what God asked.

He also suffered from health problems. His body was often weak. He fasted often and lived very simply. He did not complain. He offered everything to God in prayer.

Even when people misunderstood him, Saint Joseph stayed peaceful. He trusted that God knew his heart. That was all that mattered to him.

His quiet obedience showed that he did not serve for his own glory. He served because he loved God deeply.

Saint Joseph of Cupertino died on September 18, 1663. After his death, many people remembered his joy, his kindness, and his deep love for God. His life became a sign of hope for those who feel weak or left out.

He was made a saint in 1767 by Pope Clement XIII. His feast day is celebrated on September 18. The Church honors him for his faith, his obedience, and his trust in God.

He is the patron saint of students, especially those who are taking tests. Many students pray to him when they are nervous or afraid they will not do well. He is also the patron of pilots, flying, and those who feel small or forgotten.

His life teaches us that God sees what others may not. Even if we struggle or are rejected, we can still be close to God.

Saint Joseph of Cupertino reminds us that joy and peace come from trusting God, not from being perfect. His story lifts up anyone who feels unsure, unwanted, or unseen. He shows that God can do great things through a simple soul.

He was born in a shed in 1603 in Cupertino, Italy. His family was so poor they had to borrow a stable. Baby Jesus vibes.

He wasn’t good at school. Like, really not good. He forgot things, spaced out, and failed a lot.

People called him “open mouth” because he stared into space with his mouth open. Not exactly flattering.

He tried to join the Franciscans, but they said no. Then he begged and begged. They finally let him clean stables.

He prayed while he worked. A lot. He was awkward, but holy.

They gave him another chance to become a priest—but the examiners asked him the only question he knew the answer to.

He passed! Everyone said, “That was clearly God.”

During Mass, he got so full of joy that he started floating in the air. In front of everyone.

Sometimes he flew all the way up to the ceiling. The other friars had to pull him down.

One time he floated over the altar while shouting, “Oh blessed Virgin!” Total airborne moment.

People came from far away just to watch him pray (and maybe float).

He was ordered not to attend public Mass because the floating was too distracting.

He also had visions and ecstasies—he would zone out for hours, just lost in prayer.

He loved animals. A lamb used to follow him around like a puppy.

He once told a rooster to be quiet so people could pray. The rooster obeyed.

He often went without food because he was so caught up in prayer, he forgot to eat.

People thought he was weird, but also very holy. He didn’t care what others thought.

He is the patron saint of students (especially those taking exams), air travelers, astronauts, and people who feel a little slow or left out.

His symbol is usually a flying friar, a dove, or a book—sometimes all at once.

He reminds us that God loves humble, simple souls—even ones who trip over their own feet and can’t pass a test.