Joseph of Cupertino Patron of Aviators, Aviation, Air Travel, Astronauts, People with Learning Disabilities, Special Needs Children, Mental Handicaps, Test Taking and Students.
 
Italian 1603-1664 "O man of great devotion, bless us all in flight." He wanted to become a monk, but because of his learning disabilities, several orders would not accept him. Eventually, he was accepted by the Franciscans. On St. Francis's feast Day, October 4, 1630, Joseph was helping in the procession when he suddenly soared into the sky and hovered there. After this he often began to soar upon hearing a choir or seeing a cross. Not all the monks liked his flights or his ability to heal people without charging them any money. They confined him to the monastery. He grew in wisdom and holiness and had a large following by the time he died. He was canonized in 1781.
 
Measures: 1 1/2" x 2 3/4"