St JOSEPH-OF-CUPERTINO

Patron Saint of Aviators, Airplane Pilots and Astronauts

Franciscan Friar and Oddball.

It was not long before his eccentricities bubbled to the surface. Certain hymns and ecclesiastical activities drove him into ecstasies where he would leap into the air and attempt levitation.

This sort of thing was very popular with the public who would credit him with miracles, but very unpopular with the authorities who sent him to the Inquisition.

But the Inquisition sent him right back again by return of post — there was nothing in the rule books about being over-zealous. They did not want to take chances with a Holy Fool.

Nor did anyone else, and he was sent from Friary to Friary rather like a game of pass the parcel.

Thanks to his levitation attempts he is now flying high as the Patron Saint of Aviators and Astronauts.