Memorial of Saints (September 18)

St. Joseph of Cupertino was among the few gifted with the power of levitation. When he came of age, he joined the Franciscan Conventuals. His gift for levitation was so extraordinary that the mere mention of anything spiritual lifted him up several feet in the air. This attracted people to flock to him; but not only because of this miraculous feat, but also to ask help for the forgiveness of their sins. Because of his unique gift, Joseph of Cupertino was made patron saint of aviators (died ca. 1663 A.D.).

St. Richardis was married to Charles, son of King Louis the German. She and her husband were crowned rulers of the Holy Roman Empire by Pope John VIII in 881 A.D. Several years later in their marriage, Richardis was accused of infidelity by her husband Emperor Charles. St. Richardis had to endure the ordeal of having to prove her innocence. But when her husband Charles was deposed from his throne, Richardis left him to live as a nun at Hohenburg. She then went to found Andlau Abbey, where she lived the last years of her life (died ca. 895 A.D.).

St. John Massias was orphaned in his youth and worked as a shepherd in his hometown in Spain. He then went to Peru, worked for a while in a cattle ranch, and then decided to join the Dominican Order. As a Dominican lay brother and porter, he was known for his austerities, miracles and visions. He also attracted the poor and the sick, whom he ministered according to their spiritual and physical needs (died ca. 1645 A.D.).

St. Ferreolus was a Christian tribune in the imperial army at Vienne. Crispin, the governor, arrested him because he did not reveal the Christian identity of St. Julian of Brioude. When Ferreolus also announced to the governor that he too was a Christian, he was scourged and imprisoned. Although he was able to escape miraculously, he was recaptured near Vienne and beheaded (died ca. 304 A.D.).

St. Methodius of Olympus was bishop of Olympus, Lycia. His name is listed in the Roman Martyrology and is mentioned also in one of St. Jerome's writings. St. Methodius was known for his preaching and scholarship. Some of the many treatises which he wrote were: "On the Resurrection" and "Symposium". Because of his opposition to Millenarianism, he suffered martyrdom at Chalcis, Greece (died ca. 311 A.D.).