St. Louis, King of France (1214-1270)

Patron of the Franciscan Third Order

The Saint wrote to his son:

My dearest son, my first instruction is that you should love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your strength. Without this there is no salvation. Keep yourself, my son, from everything that you know displeases God, that is to say, from every mortal sin. You should permit yourself to be tormented by every kind of martyrdom before you would allow yourself to commit a mortal sin. If the Lord has permitted you to have some trial, bear it willingly and with gratitude, considering that it has happened for your good and that perhaps you well deserved it. If the Lord bestows upon you any kind of prosperity, thank him humbly and see that you become no worse for it, either though vain pride or anything else, because you ought not to oppose God or offend him in the matter of his gifts. Be kindhearted to the poor, the unfortunate and the afflicted. Give them as much help and consolation oas you can.

Thank God for all the benefits he has bestowed upon you, that you may be worthy to receive greater. Always side with the poor rather than with the rich, until you are certain of the truth. Be devout and obedient to our mother the Church of Rome and the Supreme Pontiff as your spiritual father. In conclusion, dearest son, I give you every blessing that a loving father can give a sons. May the three Persons of the Holy Trinity and all the saints protect you from every evil. And may the Lord give you the grace to do his will so that he may be served and honored through you, that in the next life we may together come to see him, love him and praise him unceasingly. Amen.

St. Joseph was not considered too bright.  He knew a great deal of suffering because of this. But his love for God, his love for the Blessed Mother and for holy things was extraordinary. This love was so great that it would often send him into an ecstasy that caused levitation.  And it is said that, in spite of all  his efforts, he could only manage to memorize a small portion of the Scripture he was required to know. But God has a way of doing things and this was the exact passage he was examined on.  He became a most holy priest of God.  St. Joseph is a patron for those taking examinations and also for pilots because of his levitations.

+

Prayers to St. Joseph of Cupertino for Success in Examinations

First Prayer
O Great St. Joseph of Cupertino who while on earth did obtain from God the grace to be asked at your examination only the questions you knew, obtain for me a like favor in the examinations for which I am now preparing. In return I promise to make you known and cause you to be invoked. Through Christ our Lord.

St. Joseph of Cupertino, Pray for us. Amen.

Second Prayer
O  St. Joseph of Cupertino who by your prayer obtained from God to be asked at your examination, the only preposition you knew, grant that I may like you succeed in the (here mention the name of examination eg. History) examination. In return I promise to make you known and cause you to be invoked.

O  St. Joseph of Cupertino pray for me; O Holy Ghost enlighten me; Our Lady of Good Studies pray for me; Sacred Head of Jesus the  Seat of divine wisdom, enlighten me.  Amen