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Our Relic at Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center
by Brittany Huebl
There are numerous sites all over the world that people make pilgrimages to. Many of them are overseas to lands that once were walked upon by numerous saints, and, in the case of the Holy Land, Jesus Christ, Himself. Pilgrimages, much like retreats, are meant to help draw us closer to God. They invite us to step out of ourselves, out of the daily grind, and immerse ourselves in something that is of God. This stepping out in faith can have wonderful, spiritual benefits. The troubles that can often arise in thinking of embarking on a pilgrimage can be twofold – financial and time. Travel can be both time-consuming and expensive. That should not discourage the pilgrim, however, from stepping out and seeking God.
A pilgrimage needn’t be expensive or far away. According to the Oxford Dictionary, a pilgrimage is a journey to a place associated with someone or something well-known or respected. Perhaps we cannot journey to a place associated with Christ or a saint, but there are smaller pilgrimages we can make. Christ is truly present in all of His churches and many of them house relics of various saints.
The Franciscan Retreat and Spirituality Center houses a rather large relic that once belonged to the patron of the friary here. St. Joseph of Cupertino, patron of aviators and flying due to his frequent levitation, and patron of students due to his difficulty in studying, was born in 1603 in Cupertino, which was part of Naples. He was absent-minded and often under his mother’s feet. Said to wander about aimlessly, he sported a temper which did not help endear him to anyone. He tried his hand at shoemaking but failed. Then he looked to join the Franciscans. He was accepted by the Capuchins but only lasted there a short while. His mother was dismayed to find him underfoot again. She finally worked it for her 18-year-old to be accepted as a servant for the Franciscan Monastery.
There, in the hard labor of caring for the horses, Joseph began to change. He worked on cultivating the fruits of the Holy Spirit within himself. He grew in patience and humility, worked to become more careful (and thus more successful) within his work, and offered prayers and penances. His hard work in self-improvement bore fruit, and he was eventually allowed to study for the priesthood. Unfortunately, Joseph’s studies were still very difficult for him, and try as he might, he struggled in them. But God was with him, even in the difficulties. In the exam for diaconate ordination, he happened to be quizzed on the only subject he knew well.
Once he was ordained a priest, the visible miracles began to occur. He was often seen levitating during Mass. One article says that he became so famous for miracles, he had to be kept hidden from the public. This was not penance to Joseph, however, who enjoyed having the time and silence to be with our Lord. He passed away on September 18, 1663. His feast day is September 18.
The relic that the Franciscan Retreats houses is one of the cords from St. Joseph’s Franciscan habit. Being it is one he had worn in life, there is a very good chance that this 400-year-old cord, displayed in our chapel, levitated with this famous flyer.
If you would like to make a small pilgrimage, you are certainly welcome to visit Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center and pray especially for St. Joseph’s intercession. Whether looking for help with the upcoming school year, an upcoming exam or trip, or any personal need, the Retreat Center would be happy to be a place of pilgrimage for you. Our doors are open Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.. Call or check our calendar page to be sure that no retreats are taking place when you plan to visit.
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