St. Joseph of Cupertino: The Saint Who Could Fly—and Couldn’t Pass a Test

About this sermon

St. Joseph of Cupertino struggled to learn, failed at nearly every ordinary task, and was dismissed from religious life because he seemingly “couldn’t do anything right.” Yet this humble Franciscan became one of the Catholic Church’s greatest mystics—the famous Flying Saint who repeatedly levitated during prayer. Born into poverty in Italy in 1603, Joseph’s father died before his birth and left the family burdened with debt. His mother gave birth to him in a stable. A prolonged childhood illness disrupted his education, and other children mocked his absentminded behavior. He even forgot to eat and proved unable to succeed in an ordinary trade. Joseph nevertheless possessed a profound desire to belong entirely to God. After being dismissed by the Capuchins, he wandered homeless before eventually receiving another opportunity with the Franciscans. Assigned to care for a donkey in the monastery stable, Joseph humbly called himself “Brother Ass.” Through prayer, obedience, penance, and perseverance, he gradually overcame his temper and earned the respect of the friars. Although he could explain only one passage of Scripture, that exact passage was selected during his examination for Holy Orders. This remarkable event helped make him the patron saint of students facing examinations. After his ordination, Joseph experienced extraordinary ecstasies and repeatedly rose physically from the ground while contemplating God. These levitations drew enormous crowds, caused disruption within his communities, and eventually brought him before the Inquisition—which found no wrongdoing. This homily also recounts delightful traditions involving St. Joseph praying the Litany of Loreto with a flock of sheep and sending a bird to help a community of nuns with their singing. Despite his remarkable mystical gifts, Joseph remained simple, humble, obedient, and deeply penitential. His life proves that sanctity does not depend upon intelligence, talent, social standing, or worldly success. God already knows all our limitations and calls every one of us to holiness. There is ultimately one essential answer to the test of life: love God, seek His will, and live for Heaven rather than the passing things of this world. St. Joseph of Cupertino, pray for us! 00:00 Introduction to St. Joseph of Cupertino 00:23 Intelligence Is Not Necessary for Sanctity 00:40 The Poor and Lowly Invited to God’s Feast 01:04 Born into Poverty in a Stable 01:35 Childhood Illness and Learning Difficulties 02:14 His Piety and Struggle with Anger 02:30 Rejected by the Franciscans 02:46 Dismissed for “Doing Nothing Right” 03:18 Homeless, Rejected, and Humiliated 03:56 Accepted to Work in a Franciscan Stable 04:14 Why He Called Himself “Brother Ass” 04:38 Overcoming His Temper and Growing in Virtue 05:03 Studying for the Priesthood 05:36 The Miraculous Examination 05:51 Patron Saint of Students 06:21 His Severe Penance and Profound Humility 07:02 Ecstasies and Contemplative Prayer 08:04 The Famous Levitations Begin 08:30 Lifting Other Friars into the Rafters 08:39 Banned from the Choir 08:47 Crowds Flock to See the Flying Saint 09:19 Accused of Witchcraft and Examined by the Inquisition 09:44 Praying with the Shepherds 10:08 The Sheep Recite the Litany of Loreto 11:02 The Bird That Sang with the Nuns 11:58 Obedience Amid Isolation and Suffering 12:14 His Final Illness 12:23 His Prophecy About Holy Communion 12:40 “May the Holy Will of God Be Done” 12:56 His Radiant and Joyful Death 13:18 Patron of Pilots and Astronauts 13:33 Saints Are Human, Not Naturally Perfect 14:06 You Cannot Impress or Surprise God 14:22 The One Correct Answer to Life’s Test 14:45 Seeking Heaven Through the Intercession of St. Joseph 14:54 Final Blessing https://sensusfidelium.us/the-liturgical-year-dom-prosper-gueranger/september/september-18-st-joseph-of-cupertino-confessor/ Please remember to say 3 Hail Marys for the priest #SaintJosephOfCupertino #FlyingSaint #CatholicSaints #PatronSaintOfStudents #CatholicFaith #FranciscanSaints #Miracles #CatholicChurch #PatronSaintOfPilots #CatholicHistory #CatholicInspiration #LevitatingSaint 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses

Topics

• Suffering & Trials