Today's saint, St. Joseph of Cupertino (1603 - 1663) is the patron of pilots. Because he could fly! Without benefit of aircraft! During his life as a Conventual Franciscan, there are over 70 recorded occasions of him levitating -- and not only "in place," as it were, but moving through the air as well, and always associated with religious meditation or even religious suggestion. He'd see a lamb in the convent's pasture and go into ecstasy thinking about the spotless Lamb of God; next thing you know, he'd be flying over to it, catching it up with him in the air. He did the same with a large crucifix in the convent garden.
These levitations (including one upon seeing a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to whom he was much devoted) were witnessed by many, including the duke of Brunswick and Hanover, Urban VIII, and even Prosper Lambertini, who, as Devil's Advocate, did his best to discredit him -- yet afterwards testified to "eyewitnesses of unchallengeable authority who saw his upliftings from the ground and prolonged flights." These were substantiated and not parlor tricks nor simple weird phenomena -- they pointed to a "lifting of the heart and mind to God" and were always associated with prayer.
Besides, Joseph was a singularly bad choice for a hoaxster. He was dull, he was abused (by his mother, who rejected him), he never profited from his many spiritual gifts -- he was even imprisoned by the Inquisition for them! He was misunderstood and it was considered best for his humility that he take his meals alone and be shut away from the other monks. He wasn't even allowed to receive or write letters, which pained him greatly.
He was absent-minded and kind of dealt with family rejection by living in his own little world. I feel sorry for him; I'd love to take him in hand and hug him and tell him he is truly loved. He was made a priest, despite all the odds, and while he seldom preached, he was very moved by the words "Blessed is the womb that bore thee." It just so happened when he came up for examination for the transitional diaconate, that that was the Scripture passage chosen. He, unusual for him, was beautifully eloquent. And when he was ordained (to the priesthood), the first half of the class performed so well, the second half (in which he was) wasn't even examined at all!
He preached, as Franciscans do, and many accused him of hypocrisy and vainglory, since huge crowds followed him. But those who lived with him knew him as an innocent and humble man. He suffered from the accusations, and a vast spiritual dryness, and constant moving, to which he was subjected, as if the confused Franciscans sought to hide him. But still the people flocked to him, attracted by his miracles and his simplicity. He is, in fact, an attractive saint, even though he wore glasses!
His advice was straightforward. "I like neither scruples nor melancholy; let your intention be right and fear not." And perhaps hinting at the spiritual malady with which he himself suffered: "Pray, pray. If you are troubled by dryness or distractions just say an Our Father. Then you make both vocal and mental prayer."
He died in peace on this date in 1767, having had a premonition of his death five weeks earlier. St. Joseph of Cupertino, pray for us.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment