18/09/2026
๐พ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ 18 || Feast Day of ๐๐ญ. ๐๐จ๐ฌ๐๐ฉ๐ก ๐จ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐จ
He was born on June 17, 1603, in Copertino, southern Italy. He grew up in extreme poverty and experienced illness and difficulty in learning. Because he had little formal education, several religious communities initially refused to accept him.
Eventually, the Conventual Franciscans accepted him to perform simple duties. Through prayer, perseverance, and Godโs providence, he completed his studies and was ordained a priest in 1628. He dedicated his life to prayer, penance, obedience, service to the poor, and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Francis of Assisi.
Saint Joseph became famous for experiencing mystical ecstasies and levitation while praying or celebrating Mass. These extraordinary events attracted many people but also caused him to be investigated and kept in seclusion. Despite these difficulties, he remained humble and obedient.
He died in Osimo, Italy, on September 18, 1663, and was canonized by Pope Clement XIII on July 16, 1767. His feast day is celebrated every September 18.
Because of his academic struggles, he is the patron saint of students and examination takers. His reported levitations also made him the patron saint of pilots, astronauts, aviation, and air travelers.
Saint Joseph of Cupertino, pray for us! ๐
Reference:
๐๐๐จ๐ฉ๐ง๐ค๐ซ๐๐๐๐๐, ๐ผ. (1918). ๐๐ฉ. ๐
๐ค๐จ๐๐ฅ๐ ๐ค๐ ๐พ๐ค๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ฉ๐๐ฃ๐ค (๐. ๐. ๐๐๐๐ฃ๐, ๐๐ง๐๐ฃ๐จ.). ๐ฝ. ๐๐๐ง๐๐๐ง.