Abbey-Roads2

The communion of saints. 

Today is the feast of St. Joseph of Cupertino, a Franciscan who barely made it to ordination.  In the beginning of his religious life he was considered something of a simpleton, although recognized for his deep piety.  When he was called to study for the priesthood, he found studies extremely difficult, yet was finally ordained.  We know him for his ecstatic flights, which are recorded in detail and took place before many witneses, hence he is proposed as the patron of astronauts.

How does one imitate a saint like Joseph of Cupertino?  Or any other saint for that matter.  It is true that we ought to imitate, or follow Christ alone, while the saints are presented to us as intercessors, helps and models for us who strive to live a Christian life.  Though separated from us by the thin veil of our mortality, in their perfect union with God in heaven, they are more near to us - for the asking - than our closest friends.  While their earthly lives may be emulated, although not necessarily in outward conduct, it seems to me that we do best to try to live according to their spirit.

The example of the saint.

I think the lives of the saints re-animate  the Gospel for us.  In and through the witness of their lives we see the Gospel, especially the Beatitudes, lived out in the concrete circumstances of life.  St. Joseph of Cupertino, as any other saint, was not canonized for the mystical phenomena he took part in, but rather the practice of heroic virtue.  When we understand  this and more closely examine the virtues the saints practiced, we can better grasp the essence of their holiness.

[Art: St. Joseph of Cupertino, courtesy  The Wilson Almanac.]