8. Priest Levitates in Front of Crowds
Even as a child, Joseph of Cupertino experienced ecstatic visions, making him an outcast of sorts among his peers. As he grew older, he was drawn to religious life, but various orders rejected him because of his lack of education and frequent ecstatic episodes. However, a determined Joseph begged friars near Cupertino to allow him to be their servant, and he so impressed them that they accepted him into their Order. In 1628, Joseph was ordained a priest, and his ecstatic episodes became even more frequent. In fact, during Masses and other holy gatherings, he began to levitate in front of huge crowds. At first, his ability to levitate was associated with witchcraft. But by 1763, he was canonized as the patron saint of aviators, air travelers, astronauts, students, and even people with mental handicaps.
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