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Thursday, 18 September 2008

St Joseph of Cupertino

In the local calendar for Southwark, today is the feast of St Edith of Kemsing (where she was born), often known also as St Edith of Wilton (where she was a religious).

In the 1962 calendar is is the feast of St Joseph of Cupertino, a Franciscan who is much loved for the tragi-comic and utterly Franciscan character of his life, particularly his flying. EWTN has the article by Alban Goodier SJ: "St Joseph of Cupertino: the dunce. 1603-1663" from his book "Saints for Sinners" book. (I loved the story about the time the shepherds did not turn up to the little chapel for devotions so he called the sheep over to join him in the Litany of Loreto.)

The title of Goodier's article refers to St Joseph's inability to study and the providential help that was given him at his examinations. hence, in addition to being a patron saint of aviators, he is invoked by nervous students before their exams. this prayer is commonly used:
O Great St. Joseph of Cupertino who while on earth did obtain from God the grace to be asked at your examination only the questions you knew, obtain for me a like favour in the examinations for which I am now preparing. In return I promise to make you known and cause you to be invoked. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

St. Joseph of Cupertino, Pray for us.
Many thanks to Catholic Fire for the following clip from a 1962 film about his life.



The film is listed on the US Amazon as a VHS video but "currently unavailable". I hope someone makes it available on DVD.

6 comments:

dillydaydream said...

St Joseph certainly worked miracles for me in my degree exams. I can highly recommend his novena, with the caveat that if you do not succeed, God has another better path for you and it is for the best. Faith is essential. Where I have ever failed something in spite of having worked for it - it has always been for the best in the long run, as it has given me an opportunity to do something where I have been happier long-term.

torchofthefaith said...

Hi Father Tim

If you like the special effects in this film, check our 'uplifting' tribute to St. Joseph of Cupertino on our Torch of The Faith blog!

Joking apart - what a beautiful and humble saint!
Alan and Angeline

berenike said...

About five of us (all different subjects) had the most amazing "too good to be true" questions in finals after making a perpetual novena to St Joseph.

Joshua said...

Not to be pedantic, but I in the prayer you posted, I think it odd to prayer to St Joseph "through Christ our Lord"; perhaps "in Christ our Lord" would be better.

sabrina said...

Hi, I've never seen all this movie because in Italy is impossible to find a copy. If someone has got one in italian or english could tell me please.
I leave my e-mail: giuliaperulli@hotmail.com

Student Nurse said...

This saint single handedly got me through nursing school. I said the exam prayer during nursing pre-reqs and will take Boards Feb 3...You bet I am going to be praying to my faithful friend. A great Patron!!!

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