NOVENA PRAYER TO ST JOSEPH OF CUPERTINO,
We pray especially for (mention
PATRON OF STUDENTS DOING EXAMS AND PEOPLE
WHO TRAVEL
Because his father had died leaving debts and his family was
consequently homeless, Joseph Desa was an unwelcome
addition when he was born in Cupertino, Italy in 1603. As a
child he was slow witted and had a habit of standing with his
mouth open staring into space. He also had a terrible temper,
probably born of frustration. Even his own mother thought
him worthless. As a young man he joined the Capuchins but
was sent away because the ecstasies he experienced made
him unsuitable for work. Finally he was accepted by the
Franciscans who, seeing his holiness, put him forward to train
for the priesthood. Joseph found the studies difficult, and the
best he could do was to learn a small portion of the material
he was supposed to know, and then pray that thats what he
would be asked. Whilst with the Franciscans he began to
levitate in ecstasy at the mention of any holy thing and only
a command from his superior could bring him to earth. He
was also investigated because of his antigravitiational
activities and subsequently moved into seclusion. He then
had his own room and chapel and was unable to leave them.
Often those in charge even forgot to bring him food but he
accepted everything with humility. St Joseph of Cupertino
died a holy death aged sixty. He is patron of students doing
exams, travellers (especially those undertaking journeys by
air), pilots, and is invoked by children, adults and the elderly
who are unloved, abandoned or neglected.
FIRST DAY:
Dear St Joseph, you were an unwanted child and were
thought worthless even by your own mother. Intercede for all
unwanted children that they may come to know they were
born out of Gods love for them. We pray especially for
(mention your request). Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
SECOND DAY:
Dear St Joseph, you were an angry, frustrated child. We pray
for all who struggle to express themselves, and that you help
us overcome sins of anger.
your request). Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
THIRD DAY:
Dear St Joseph, you experienced no love in your family and
were considered of little account by all who knew you. We
pray for all who have experienced the same. May we learn to
treat everyone as having the worth they have in Gods eyes.
We pray especially for (mention your request). Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
FOURTH DAY:
Dear St Joseph, you suffered because you found it difficult to
learn. We pray for all those who struggle at school. May they
take comfort from the fact that although learning wasnt easy
for you, this didnt stop you from becoming a saint. We pray
especially for (mention your request). Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
FIFTH DAY:
Dear St Joseph, you did the best with the intelligence you did
have and put the rest in Gods hands. That way you passed
all your exams and became a priest. We pray for all those
struggling with exams. May we also do our best in everything
and trust in God to guide our lives. We pray especially for
(mention your request. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
SIXTH DAY:
Dear St Joseph, even the thought or mention of anything holy
made you levitate in ecstasy. Grant us something of the
understanding and reverence for God and his saints that you
had. We pray especially for (mention your request). Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
SEVENTH DAY:
Dear St Joseph, only when your superior ordered you to, were
you able to come back down to earth. May we too have a
love for and obedience to the teachings of the Church. We
pray especially for (mention your request). Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
EIGHTH DAY:
Dear St Joseph, you were unjustly suspected, confined to
your room and neglected by those charged with looking after
you. You accepted all this with humility. We pray for all those
unjustly imprisoned, and that we too may have the humility
to accept injustice for the love of Christ. We pray especially
for (mention your request). Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
NINTH DAY:
Dear St Joseph, because you could levitate you are the
patron of travellers, especially air travellers. We pray for all
those travelling that they may safely reach their destinations.
We pray especially for (mention your request). Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.