The Reluctant Saint

(Originally posted on 4/15/2024)

Last night at the farm house, a few of us watched for the first time, the 1960's film, The Reluctant Saint. Despite some initial reluctance, two of the three of us made it through the movie awake.

It is about the life of Saint Joseph of Cupertino, a 1600's era Franciscan brother who became renowned for levitating and going into ecstasy during his devotions. While the film was enjoyable, my own experience was greatly benefited when it was pointed out that it was more like a play, than a movie, and therefore I started to view it as more of a theatrical production, and less of a polished film; such are the dramatics of the characters and script.

And yet, by the end, it had a distinctly uplifted quality, and a helpful, if not powerful message.

The movie portrays a young Joseph (Giuseppe) bumbling through his early life, quite unable to fit or function in this world, and failing in his initial efforts at becoming a novitiate of a monastic order. Yet, gradually, through his love of Nature revealed in the animals at the monastery stable, as well as his devotion to a statue of the Divine Mother, grace delivers him from the inquisitional-religionists who had condemned his eccentricities as the workings of Satan, and would have much preferred to simply rid the monastery of his habitation. 

In the formative moment of the movie, the local bishop survives an evening of sleepy discourses from the postulants on their institutional learnings, to wander outside (presumably to find something alive!) and find Joseph near the stable, under the stars. He recognizes in the simple stable-boy the same purity of spirit which had begun his own path with God. It forms quite a contrast from the staleness and intellectuality of his current life in the church. They stay up all night together, eating chestnuts at the campfire, and speaking as brothers, of their common, and simple, love of God. The Bishop’s affinity for Joseph creates a shock for the more studied minds of the convent, who before had only seen Joseph as a misfit who couldn’t understand the religious life which they preached so perfectly. 

In the culminating scene, Joseph is brought by these same ‘doctors of divinity’ to be exorcized of the demons which cause him to levitate and to move in such an unusual rhythm of life. Humbly, Joseph submits himself to their intense efforts. And at the end, in full, internalized Surrender, not even the chains they applied to his shoulders can keep him attached to the ground, as he lifts off, yet again…. And this time, with the rejoicing of all the brothers. 

The movie makes no attempt to over philosophize the path or ideals of this Saint, or even explain it in words at all. It reminds one of the line in Brother Sun, Sister Moon, whereby young Francis tells his first Brother, Bernardo, after the latter offers his help to Francis: “Words, Bernardo. There was a time when I believed in them.” 

There is great clarity and depth in the simplicity of this portrayal of San Giuseppe. 

For there are often 100 different directions our thoughts can go; 100 words that can be said; problems to solve; people to think about; actions to be done. 

But Joseph had only one parable he could remember, not 100. And he stated it over and over, in lieu of all the others: Luke, Chapter 15. 

4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

In the film, Saint Joseph's greatness is revealed to his family and peers quietly and over time; not in words, but in Holy simplicity and the purity of a child. It is revealed in simply the choice to Love God, truly, and to turn back to Him now, wherever we find ourselves; whether a sheep in the middle of the fold, or lost entirely. 

As I sat in bed to meditate last night after finishing the movie, the thought of how to worship arose. How can I put my mind into that space, and my heart into the divine embrace? Just as Joseph had the critters, and statue of Divine Mother’s likeness, to whom and what form does the candle flame of devotion ignite in me?

In asking this question, I get my answer; I perceive the divine personage of the Guru, given anew to me, and in this, the 99 thoughts subside; the one thought of God rests my nature, in my forehead; in the Christ center. The simple feeling of God’s presence alone. 

This was the super power of simplicity of the Reluctant Saint. Reluctant to speak too much, or think highly of himself, or conform to the expectations of others and this world, perhaps, but not reluctant to keep his mind on God.

May we always find the time, and the right moment, to turn off the figuring, outward-oriented mind, and to just be simple. To turn within to the Shepherd of our flock, and like Saint Joseph of Cupertino, take flight in God.