- 18 September, 2026
September 18: The Catholic Church celebrates the feast of Saint Joseph of Cupertino, an Italian Conventual Franciscan priest remembered for his deep humility, prayer and mystical experiences. Often called the “Flying Friar”, Joseph became a beloved patron of students, examinations, pilots and air travellers.
Feast Day: September 18
Born: June 17, 1603, Copertino, Italy
Died: September 18, 1663, Osimo, Italy
Religious Order: Conventual Franciscan Friars
Known For: Humility, prayer, mystical experiences and levitation
Canonised: 1767 by Pope Clement XIII
Patron of: Students, examinations, pilots and air travellers
Joseph Desa was born in 1603 in Copertino, in southern Italy. His father died before his birth, leaving the family in serious financial difficulties. His mother was forced to give birth to Joseph in a stable after the family home was taken to settle debts.
From childhood, Joseph showed a strong attraction to prayer. However, he struggled considerably with formal education and ordinary tasks. His difficulties did not prevent him from feeling a strong calling to religious life.
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At 17, Joseph sought admission to the Conventual Franciscans but was initially rejected because of his lack of education. He later entered the Capuchins as a lay brother but was eventually dismissed.
Rather than abandoning his vocation, Joseph continued to seek a way to serve God. The Conventual Franciscans eventually accepted him to work at their friary near Cupertino. His humility, obedience, prayer and dedication impressed the community, and he was later admitted to religious formation and prepared for the priesthood. He was ordained in 1628.
Joseph became known for extraordinary mystical experiences. Franciscan sources describe moments when intense prayer and contemplation were accompanied by reported levitations. These experiences sometimes occurred during Mass or when he encountered something that reminded him deeply of God.
His mystical experiences attracted attention, but they were not the centre of his spirituality. Joseph remained committed to humility, obedience, penance and devotion to Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Saint Joseph is particularly popular among students and people preparing for examinations. His own struggles with study and academic examinations became part of his story of perseverance and trust in God's grace.
He is also honoured as a patron of pilots and air travellers, a devotion associated with the traditional accounts of his levitations.
Joseph died in Osimo on September 18, 1663. He was beatified in 1753 and canonised in 1767 by Pope Clement XIII.
Saint Joseph reminds Catholics that limitations do not prevent a person from responding generously to God's call. His life encourages students, workers and families to persevere when they face difficulties.
His example teaches a simple but powerful lesson: Trust God, remain humble, keep trying and never allow your weaknesses to become an excuse for giving up.
To know about more saints and Catholic feast days, please visit the spiritual section.
By Catholic Connect Reporter
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