Patronal Feast of Saint Joseph of Cupertino

The festival of the 'Saint of Flights'

In Copertino, in the heart of the Salento in the province of Lecce (Apulia), September 18th is the most anticipated date of the year. It is the day the city pays homage to its patron, Saint Joseph of Cupertino (Giuseppe Maria Desa, 1603-1663), a Conventual Franciscan friar who went down in history as the 'Saint of Flights' for his famous ecstasies, during which witnesses claimed to see him levitate off the ground. Tradition links one of the most well-known episodes to the sanctuary of the Madonna della Grottella, just outside the town.

Devotion and popular tradition

The patronal festival is both a major religious event and a popular celebration that involves the entire community. The preparation begins with the novena, which from September 8th fills the Basilica of Santa Maria ad Nives and the Sanctuary dedicated to the Saint every evening. The solemn day, September 18th, opens with the Pontifical Mass and culminates in the procession that carries the effigy of Saint Joseph through the streets of the historic center, amidst hymns, brass bands, and the participation of thousands of faithful arriving from all over the Salento.

Illuminations and secular festivities

Accompanying the religious aspect is a rich secular program that transforms the center of Copertino into an open-air stage. The illuminations, among the most spectacular in Apulia, create arches of light along the streets and reproduce the image of the Saint suspended high up, as if in flight, in a direct nod to his nickname. In Piazza Umberto I and other city spaces, there are brass band concerts, musical shows, performances by Salento folk music groups, and evening entertainment, while food and craft stalls fill the town streets.

Fireworks

As in every great patronal festival in the South, a leading role is played by the fireworks: from the morning and daytime salutes to the grand final display that closes the festivities, pyrotechnics are one of the most beloved moments for the people of Copertino and visitors alike.

Why it's worth the trip

The Feast of Saint Joseph of Cupertino is not just a liturgical celebration: it is an authentic portrait of the Salento identity, where faith, music, cuisine, and community merge. For those visiting the Salento in September, it is an opportunity to experience a centuries-old tradition in the town that gave birth to one of the most unique and beloved saints of Italian popular devotion.