Joseph of Cupertino

Life events

1. Born — 1603

   Joseph was born on 17 June 1603 in the village of Cupertino, in the Region of Apulia, Kingdom of Naples (now in the Italian Province of Lecce). His father had died before his birth, the family home was seized to cover debts, and his mother gave birth in a stable.

2. Other — 1620

   In 1620 Joseph applied to the Conventual Franciscan friars and was rejected for lack of education. He then applied to the Capuchin friars in Martino, near Taranto, who accepted him as a lay brother but dismissed him when his continued ecstasies rendered him unable to perform required duties.

3. Tonsured — 1625

   After returning home and pleading with the Conventual friars near Cupertino to serve in their stables, Joseph was admitted to their Order in 1625 and designated for ordination to the priesthood, having over several years impressed the community with his devotion and simplicity.

4. Ordained — 1628

   Joseph was ordained a priest on 28 March 1628. At his diaconate examination the bishop opened the Gospels at random to Luke 11:27, the one verse Joseph could expound; at his priestly ordination examination the bishop excused all remaining candidates after the preceding ones answered well, sparing Joseph further testing.

5. Other — 1639

   Denounced to the Inquisition because levitation was widely associated with witchcraft, Joseph was transferred from 1639 onward between Franciscan houses for observation: first to Assisi (1639–1653), then briefly to Pietrarubbia, then to Fossombrone with the Capuchin friars (1653–1657). He was confined to a small cell and barred from public gatherings of the community.

6. Other — 1657

   On 9 July 1657 Joseph was permitted to return to a Conventual community and was assigned to the friary in Osimo, where he remained for the rest of his life.

7. Died — 1663

   Joseph died on 18 September 1663 at the Conventual friary in Osimo.

8. Other — 1767

   Joseph was beatified in 1753 and canonized by Pope Clement XIII on 16 July 1767.

Relationships

Documented claims

• During ordination studies Joseph could expound only Luke 11:27 ('Beatus venter qui Te portavit'). His diaconate examiner happened to open the Gospels to that exact verse, and at the priestly exam the bishop excused him without questioning. (likely)
• Joseph was denounced to the Inquisition because levitation was widely believed connected with witchcraft; he spent approximately 18 years (1639–1657) being transferred between Franciscan houses under Inquisition observation. (likely)
• Knowledge of Joseph derives primarily from canonization inquests conducted 1664–1695. His confessor Roberto Nuti composed the earliest hagiography in 1678; the Skeptical Inquirer notes eyewitness accounts of his levitations were often written years after his death. (certain)
• Joseph ate solid food only twice a week, adding bitter powders to his meals. He maintained this regimen for 35 years. (likely)
• Joseph is patron of pilots, astronauts, and those traveling by air (from reported levitations), and of students, exam takers, and those with learning difficulties (from his providential ordination examinations). He is also patron of the cities of Osimo and Cupertino. (likely)