Biography
Joseph of Cupertino
About Joseph of Cupertino
Joseph of Cupertino was born Giuseppe Maria Desa in Copertino in southern Italy in 1603. After a difficult start in religious life, he joined the Conventual Franciscans and was ordained a priest in 1628. Accounts of his life emphasize both his difficulty with formal studies and his devotion to prayer. His community moved him between houses as public attention to him grew.
Joseph became known for reports that he rose from the ground during prayer. Church authorities investigated the claims and his public ministry was restricted; he spent later years in relative seclusion. Those reports form an important part of his devotional history, while the underlying extraordinary events should be presented as witness accounts rather than independently verified occurrences.
Joseph died at Osimo on September 18, 1663. He was canonized in 1767, and Franciscans commemorate him on September 18. His life is remembered for patient obedience amid scrutiny as well as for the unusual reports that drew that scrutiny.
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