avecruxspesunica:St. Joseph of CupertinoSt. Joseph of Cupertino (1603-1663) was the son of a poor It
avecruxspesunica:St. Joseph of CupertinoSt. Joseph of Cupertino (1603-1663) was the son of a poor Italian carpenter. His father died before his birth, leaving his mother destitute. As a result Joseph was underfed and often sick. He was a dull child who constantly found himself the worse off in every situation. He was awkward, absent-minded, ill-tempered, unintelligent, and difficult to be around. Added to this scorn, at the age of eight he began receiving ecstatic visions for which he was ridiculed. Many thought he was good for nothing—including his own mother who treated him harshly and considered him a burden. At the age of seventeen he found work with the Capuchin Franciscan friars, eventually joining their Order once they recognized his holiness. His ecstasies became more pronounced, and he would often levitate or float. These could be triggered easily through the mention of anything heavenly, or by any mortification. This occurrence became a spectacle and disturbance to others and caused him much suffering; it was a cross for him to bear his whole life. He was eventually ordained to the priesthood despite being a poor student, but he could not celebrate Mass publicly due to his ecstasies. He was even reported to the Inquisition for fear he was involved in witchcraft. Yet St. Joseph lived a life of severe penances through his continual fasting, holding seven Lents of forty days each year. Sometimes called “The Flying Saint,” he is the patron of air crews, students, aviators, and test takers. St. Joseph of Cupertino’s feast day is September 18th. -- source link