St. Joseph of Cupertino by Ludovico Mazzanti (+1775)
St. Joseph of Cupertino was born in Apulia in a stable, as his mother turned out of their home to pay for his deceased father's debts. St. Joseph was known for both his spiritual experiences and his poor intellectual talents. It took multiple tries for him to successfully enter religious life. Eventually he was accepted into the Conventual Franciscans in 1625, after some time working for them and impressing them with his simplicity and devotion. In a series of events that make him a patron of test takers, he managed to receive ordination to the priesthood in 1628, despite his poor academic abilities.
As a priest, St. Joseph was noted for, among other things, his falling in ecstasy when around holy thing and his practice of miraculous levitation. Aside from earning for him a place as patron saint of pilots, it also resulted in him being restricted in his public ministry, and being denounced to the Inquisition.
St. Joseph of Cupertino died in 1663, and was canonized in 1753.
He is buried in Osimo, in the region of Marche. The official website of the Church where he is buried can be found here: San Giuseppe Da Copertino
For more information on this saint, you might note:
Old Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Joseph of Cupertino
Catholic Saints Info: St. Joseph of Cupertino
Live well!
Probably not an accurate depiction, but the movie "The Reluctant Saint" is one of our favorites.
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