Lives Of The Saints
September 18
St. Joseph of Cupertino
Quick answer
At a glance
- Who is this saint?
- St. Joseph of Cupertino (1603-1663) was a Conventual Franciscan priest. His life is remembered for humility, obedience, perseverance through rejection, and extraordinary experiences in prayer. His feast is September 18.
- Feast
- September 18
- Brief life source
- Novena Regina editorial summary of Francis Mershman, “St. Joseph of Cupertino,” The Catholic Encyclopedia, vol. 8 (1910), transcribed at New Advent. Read the source standards.
A Miracle of Saint Joseph of Cupertino, Placido Costanzi (1750)
Brief life
Joseph was born in 1603 at Cupertino in southern Italy. His early attempts to enter religious life met with rejection. After the Capuchins dismissed him, he obtained permission to work in the stable of the Franciscan convent at La Grotella.
His humility and obedience led to his admission among the Conventual Franciscans. He was ordained a priest in 1628. Older accounts describe intense contemplation, ecstasies, and levitations, often prompted by the Mass or the mention of Our Lord and Our Lady.
These extraordinary events also brought difficult restrictions. Joseph lived apart from much of the community’s public worship and was moved between religious houses. The 1910 account emphasizes his patient trust in Divine Providence through these trials. He died at Osimo on September 18, 1663, and was canonized in 1767.
Questions about this saint
Did St. Joseph of Cupertino struggle with learning?
The 1910 Catholic Encyclopedia describes his limited schooling and difficulty reading. His perseverance can encourage students who find study difficult. That spiritual encouragement is not a promise of a particular examination result.
What do older sources say about his levitations?
The Catholic Encyclopedia recounts his being raised from the ground during prayer. It places these experiences within a life of obedience, including restrictions on public worship and repeated moves between religious houses.
When was St. Joseph of Cupertino canonized?
Pope Clement XIII canonized him on July 16, 1767. His feast is September 18, the anniversary of his death at Osimo in 1663.
Source for these reading notes
The introduction and answers are Novena Regina editorial summaries of the older reference below. The brief life above has its own source citation at the top of the page.
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