1. Joseph was born into a very poor family while his father was away and in danger. Like Jesus, he was born in a stable on straw and fell asleep in his mother's arms—she was alone and weeping.
2. Joseph had to work from childhood, but he was not very bright and easily distracted. Even the shoemaker who was teaching him the trade sent him away. "He can't do anything," the man told his mother. "He's always looking up at the sky, and everyone makes fun of him."
3. Joseph wanted to enter the convent to serve Jesus. His mother said it was impossible—he couldn't do anything. Joseph answered her: "Don't worry, Mama. Jesus will take care of it. He wasn't a skilled carpenter like his father either, but he became Jesus through God's will."
4. Joseph entered the convent and worked hard, but he caused plenty of trouble because he was always thinking about prayer and singing songs for Jesus. The monks grew frustrated and sent him home.
5. Joseph was accepted at the convent of "Grottella." For three years he worked in the garden, tended the animals, prayed, and studied—though he managed to learn only a little reading and writing.
6. To become a true friar and say Mass, he had to pass a difficult exam given by a bishop who had come from Rome. He had memorized only a small passage from the Gospel, so Joseph prayed: "Mary, I only know this one part... don't let them take the habit off my shoulders!"
7. The bishop asked him precisely the passage he knew. Then a young friar called urgently—the bishop had to return to Rome at once. As he left, the bishop announced: "You are all promoted... including Joseph of Copertino." Joseph cried out: "A miracle! The Madonna has made a donkey into a friar!"
8. Brother Joseph was very kind. When he prayed, he forgot everything else, and sometimes, moved by his love for Jesus, he would lift off the ground. Everyone was amazed and began to call him "the flying friar."
9. His superiors were not happy about this. They ordered him to change convents and do penance. Joseph obeyed, smiling, and said: "I don't have much of a brain... if Jesus weren't giving me a hand... he gives the orders and I obey."
10. Everyone loved him because he was simple and never put on airs. He often made up little songs about Jesus and danced them with his younger, cheerful brothers.
11. Brother Joseph and his friend Brother Ludovico were traveling to Rome. Ludovico found a small coin and was happy. "In Rome we'll buy ourselves a rosary or a sandwich if we get hungry," he said. But Joseph ordered him: "Leave it on a rock for the first poor person who comes by."
12. Brother Joseph was now old, sick, and near death. He said to the friars: "The little donkey has reached the top of the mountain. Now he just wants to rest." In the darkness of his cell, his smiling mother appeared to him. Joseph smiled too and said: "Yes, Mama, you take care of it. Bring me with you to Jesus."
13. Joseph took his last flight to heaven, where he finally reached his Jesus.
14. From heaven, Joseph protects and helps students who struggle in school—and all those who fly: pilots, passengers, skydivers, and astronauts!