GIUSEPPE da COPERTINO, Saint. - Conventual Franciscan, born at Copertino (Lecce) on 17 June 1603, died at Osimo on 18 September 1663. Ordained priest in 1628. His life, filled with ecstasies, prophecies, and various miracles, made him one of the most interesting figures in Christian mysticism.
Accused before the Holy Office in Naples (1638) for what occurred around him, he was fully exonerated but, to avoid possible popular abuses, it was decided to send him to a solitary convent.
On 25 April 1639 he left Rome for Assisi, where he lived for over 14 years amid severe spiritual trials, harsh penances, and mortifications, though at the same time experiencing spiritual sweetnesses and charisms. During this period he met the Servant of God Maria Infanta of Savoy, Prince Casimir, the future king of Poland, and converted to the faith Duke Johann Friedrich of Braunschweig-Lüneburg (1649-50). On 23 July 1653, a new intervention by the Holy Office removed him from Assisi as well. He was sent to the mountainous Capuchin convent of Pietrarubbia (Macerata); from there, after three months, to the Capuchins of Fossombrone, and only on 6 July 1657 was he permitted to return to his own Conventual brethren at Osimo. The prodigies that had accompanied him at Pietrarubbia, multiplying at Fossombrone (1653-57), continued at Osimo until his death.
He was beatified by Benedict XIV on 24 February 1753 and canonized by Clement XIII on 16 July 1767. His feast is celebrated on 18 September, extended to the whole Church by Clement XIV. Some religious songs and short sayings collected by his biographers are attributed to him.