Joseph of Cupertino

Joseph of Cupertino (also Joseph of Cupertino, Italian Giuseppe da Cupertino, actually Giuseppe Desa, born June 17, 1603 in Cupertino Lecce, † September 18, 1663 in Osimo near Ancona ) was an Italian Franciscan Friar Minor.

He is a saint of the Catholic Church. The folk saints ( whose former popularity today of Padre Pio is comparable ) is one of the most unusual figures of Catholic mysticism. Because of his alleged levitation in over 100 cases, he is also known as the "Flying Friar ".

Life

Joseph was born in 1603 as son of Felice Desa France and China Panaca in the Apulian peasant village Cupertino. His father died before he was born. His childhood was marked by hardship, disease, and learning difficulties. From a serious illness, he should have been miraculously cured in Galatone in the Marian shrine of " Maria della Grazia ".

He became a novice in 1620 Capuchin monastery of Martina Franca ( Taranto in ), but was released because he seemed unfit as a monk. In 1621 he was first, then added as Frater after several failed attempts in the Franciscan monastery of Santa Maria della Grottella as Oblat.

In 1628 he was ordained a priest in Poggiardo and knew then for 10 years the priesthood in Cupertino, where he attracted attention made ​​by ecstasies, miracles, levitation and quickly attracted a large crowd of pilgrims. In 1638 he was the " messianism " suspects acquitted in a trial before the Inquisition in Naples them, but referred to caution from his community.

Then he lived from 1639 to 1653 in the Franciscan convent of Assisi. 1650 met him there Duke Johann Friedrich of Brunswick- Lüneburg, whose conversion to the Catholic faith, he is said to have significantly influenced. 1653 he joined the Capuchin monastery of pietrarubbia, later to Fossombrone, 1657 in the Franciscan monastery in Osimo. He lived there until the end of his life 1663rd Joseph is buried in the Basilica dedicated to him.

Legend

Joseph is said to have experienced " ecstatic raptures " and levitation as a child. When he sat in his cell, so this should have so blasted, as if large amounts of burning candles.

All his life he is said to have miraculous healing effects that exceed those of all other saints in number and extent. His most famous miracle was a levitation, in which it is to be flown 60 feet in the air to receive a 10 -meter, heavy cross, which he is said to have then "like a straw " on the earth set up. Many witnesses testified under oath the levitation of Joseph; including well-known personalities such as Princess Maria of Savoy (1594-1656) and King John II Casimir.

To be able to think undisturbed, Joseph climbed trees and was there the birds near which were very tame. Even in the garden of the little chapel where he celebrated Mass and typing work done to him, these birds should be followed. Therefore, the assigned animal of the Goldfinch.

Worship

Joseph was blessed in 1753 and canonized in 1767. His feast day is September 18.

He is the patron saint of aviators. In Italy and other countries, it is also considered the patron saint of exams ( because of its conquered by prayer learning difficulties ).

In honor of Joseph of Cupertino ( in local dialect " Cupertino ") of the Arroyo San José de Cupertino was named. After this stream (now Stevens Creek ) was named in Silicon Valley in California later, the city of Cupertino.