Saint Joseph of Cupertino is the patron of travelers, aviators, astronauts, individuals with learning disabilities, and those faced with exams. Canonized in 1767, his life was a blend of simplicity, deep faith, and the extraordinary.

As a child, Joseph wasn’t known for his wit or intelligence. But what he lacked in learning, he made up for in devotion. He constructed a humble altar, a testament to his early piety, where he would pray the rosary. A debilitating episode of ulcers in his childhood was miraculously healed after a hermit anointed him with oil from a lamp burning in honor of Our Lady of Grace.

At 17, Joseph’s quest for spiritual fulfillment began. Initially rejected by the Friars Minor Conventuals due to his limited education, he was briefly inducted as a Capuchin. However, his uncontrolled ecstatic episodes made his continuation in the order untenable. In his twenties, the Franciscan friary near Cupertino opened its doors to him. Though his academic pursuits remained challenging, he flourished in his devotion and service, often found engrossed in tasks like gardening, tending to animals, and assisting in the kitchen. Occasionally, he’d be spotted drifting aimlessly, unaware of his surroundings.

While his learning disability remained a hurdle, divine intervention seemed at play during his deacon candidacy. Asked randomly by a bishop to elaborate on “Blessed is the womb that bore thee,” Joseph’s response was so profound that he was ordained. His ordination as a priest followed suit in 1628 under rather serendipitous circumstances.

Joseph’s extraordinary mystical experiences came to the fore on October 4, 1630, during a procession celebrating Saint Francis of Assisi. To the astonishment of onlookers, Joseph levitated, floating above them. Overwhelmed by the experience, he retreated to his mother’s residence in embarrassment. But these miraculous levitations persisted. Simple triggers like hymns, mentions of Jesus or Mary, or the euphoria of Mass would often find him airborne. So profound was this phenomenon that even an audience with Pope Urban VIII wasn’t exempt. As he knelt to revere the Pope, Joseph found himself lifted off the ground, only to descend on the order of his superior.

Known for his purity, a sweet aroma often emanated from Joseph. Conversely, he could detect the foul scent of sin, urging those afflicted to cleanse their souls via confession.

Ailing in August 1663, Joseph’s final Mass on the Feast of the Assumption was marked with ecstasies and levitation. Recognizing his imminent departure, he metaphorically referred to his body as a ‘jackass’ scaling a mountain. On September 18, 1663, surrounded by liturgical chants and after receiving the final sacraments, he passed away.

Vast crowds attended his burial at the chapel of the Immaculate Conception. His sanctification by Pope Clement XIII in 1767 further solidified his legacy. Today, his remains rest beneath a grand marble altar in the Church of St. Francis in Osimo, Italy.

Editorial credit: Zvonimir Atletic / Shutterstock.com
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43 COMMENTS

  1. What an excellent article. And what an inspiration St. Joseph of Cupertino is. St. Joseph of Cupertino, please pray for me and everyone that I know. Please send your graces to our Nation and the World. Thank you.

  3. O Great St. Joseph of Cupertino who while on earth did obtain from God the grace to be asked at your examination only the questions you knew, obtain for me a like favour in the examinations for which I am now preparing. In return I promise to make you known and cause you to be invoked. Please help me pass the health and insurance test.Through Christ our Lord.St. Joseph of Cupertino, Pray for us.Amen.

  4. Enjoyed this article and st Joseph of cupertino pray me and for my children to be successful in their learning. Also that I finish my career as a successful teacher.

  8. Dear Saint Joseph, please pray that God will help me with my ADD, my memory, and let his will be done about a internship that I am hoping to get in next year.

  13. This article took me back to when I was a kid sitting for exams. Before starting the exam my mother would recommend to me to pray to St Joseph of Cupertino to get a good result. These are beautiful memories that one should cherish and transmit to his children to carry on the faith from one generation to another – trusting in God and recommending yourself to him and his saints in prayer in every situation.

  16. This saint has been one of my favorites, I prayed for his assistance in heaven and I do so now too in Seminary. Thank You so much for articles like these.

  19. Your day my saint. Let your joy in heaven bring us the attention that everything is possible with God. May we find humbleness and softness in knowing what we are. Please joseph my sons and daughter guide them. Tank you for the success in having passed maths and statistics.

  20. St. Joseph of Cuputino pray for Niah and especially McKiah and all children struggling with studies in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth our Lord and King AMEN

  21. SAINT JOSE CUPERTINO PLEASE HEALING THE MANE AND HEART OF MY SON R J M AND M CB AND M AL MAM C K M W,S N E K V H H A B M N AM X A M AND THE ALL MENTAL ILL. TO BE FREED FROM ALL TYPE OF PERSECUTION AND EVIL ATTACK SUFFERS FROM A BAD NEIGHBOR.RACISM MAKE ALL TYPE OF BUDOOO ,BLACK MAGI,TO DESTROY US.THANKS FOR HEALING HELP I NOW WE SEE SOONER THANKS TO JESUS BLESSED MOTHER AND SAINT JOSE HUSBAND AND SAINT JOSE CUPERTINO AND ALL THE SAINTS.

  30. Dear St. Joseph of Cupertino, Please pray for all children and adults with learning differences/disabilities, mental illness, ADHD, Aspberger’s, and any level of autism. Please ask Our Lord to let them always feel loved by Him, Amen.

  32. Dear St.Joseph of Cupertino, Please pray for my daughter’s and son’s special intentions.My daughter is in dire need of God’s Help please intercede for her.
    Dear Saint please pray for all my loved ones who departed me to their eternal life

  33. Dear Joseph de Saint, beloved of God. Please help me to be as HOLY as you were, even till now which you are. Adone my days with the peace from God and my life a blessing fill. Great St Joseph, please pray for me and the whole world.

  37. Saint Joseph of Cupertino, pray for us. Especially for those with Down syndrome and other special needs, learning disabilities, adhd, lifelong chronic pain and illness, ulcers, etc. May they all see their infinite worth through your compassionate eyes. We know they matter more than society would have us believe. Let us detect the stink of sin on those around us who hide it even from themselves. Thank You Lord God Almighty for my blessings. Amen.

  39. Pray for me Sweet St. Joseph of Cupertino on the success of my exams 24th and 25th of September, i tap into your divine blessings for exam success. I beg thee make this one be the best of them all and that I may move up to the next level. Amen

  40. Thank you Saint Joseph of Cupertino for answering my prayer please continue to intercede on my behalf. I’m Using this prayer and I am passing all my classes.

    O St. Joseph of Cupertino who by your prayer obtained from God to be asked at your examination, the only preposition you knew. Grant that I may like you succeed in the (here mention the name of Examination eg. History paper I) examination. In return I promise to make you known and cause you to be invoked.

    O St. Joseph of Cupertino pray for me

    O Holy Ghost enlighten me

    Our Lady of Good Studies pray for me

    Sacred Head of Jesus,
    Saint of divine wisdom, enlighten me.
    Pass it on!

  41. St. Joseph of Cupertino, Praying for my son who suffers from ADHD and learning disability. He is struggling financially at present as he has been unable to work due to his mental health. He works very hard and tries to live with his disability and support his family but it doesn’t always work out. Help him to be healed and gain financial stability and independence. Thank you for this information during a time of need.

  42. Dear Saint Joseph of Cupertino, a blend of simplicity, deep faith, and the extraordinary, thank you for your piety and devotion to love. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Please help me reach discernment and fulfillment of God’s Will, grant me your intercession to answer His calling obediently with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength; that I may receive grace to deny myself joyfully, take up my cross peacefully, follow Jesus truthfully, and be risen in Christ eternally. I pray for all prayers that come before mine, specially those caring for children. Amen.

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