The astonishing spiritual sensitivity of the humble friar who baffled theologians and terrified unrepentant sinners.
Saint Joseph of Cupertino is best known for his miraculous levitations, but one of the most surprising and lesser‑known aspects of his life was his extraordinary spiritual sensitivity. According to numerous historical accounts, Joseph possessed the uncanny ability to “smell” sin — not metaphorically, but as a real, overwhelming odor that no one else could detect. This strange and fascinating gift allowed him to sense the spiritual state of those around him, often revealing hidden sins or prompting sudden conversions. This article explores the remarkable life of Saint Joseph of Cupertino, the mystery of his supernatural senses, and why his story continues to captivate believers today.
A Simple Man With Extraordinary Gifts
Joseph was born in 1603 in Cupertino, Italy, into poverty and hardship.
He struggled with:
- learning disabilities
- social awkwardness
- clumsiness
- constant rejection
But he had a heart that burned for God.
When he finally entered the Franciscan order, the brothers quickly realized he was… different.
He experienced:
- ecstasies
- visions
- levitations
- prophetic insights
And then there was the strangest gift of all.
The First Time Joseph “Smelled” Sin
According to witnesses, Joseph began noticing a foul, unbearable odor around certain people.
Not a physical smell.
Not body odor.
Not anything natural.
It was a spiritual stench — something only he could detect.
When he later learned that the person was hiding a serious sin, he understood what he had sensed.
Word spread quickly among the friars:
“Be careful around Brother Joseph.
He can smell your soul.”
The Gift That Terrified Sinners
Joseph’s sensitivity became so intense that:
- he would recoil when someone approached with unconfessed mortal sin
- he would weep when he sensed a soul in danger
- he would fall to his knees when someone approached with deep holiness
- he could distinguish between venial and mortal sin by the “strength” of the odor
Some people avoided him out of fear.
Others sought him out for guidance.
Confessors said that Joseph’s reactions often revealed the truth before a person even spoke.
The Day a Hidden Sin Was Exposed
One famous account describes a man who came to visit Joseph, pretending to be devout.
As soon as he entered the room, Joseph gagged and covered his face.
He cried out:
“Leave!
Your soul is rotting!”
The man fled in shock.
Later, he returned — trembling — and confessed a grave sin he had hidden for years.
Joseph embraced him and said:
“Now the smell is gone.”
A Gift Rooted in Compassion, Not Judgment
Joseph never used this gift to shame people.
He used it to:
- call them to repentance
- warn them of danger
- encourage confession
- help them return to God
His sensitivity was not about punishment —
it was about rescue.
He saw sin the way God sees it:
not as dirt to condemn,
but as a wound to heal.
Why This Story Still Matters
Saint Joseph’s strange gift reminds us that:
- sin affects the soul in real ways
- holiness sharpens spiritual perception
- God uses the humble to reveal deep truths
- grace can transform even the most broken person
Joseph of Cupertino — the awkward, rejected, misunderstood friar — became a spiritual giant whose senses were tuned to heaven.
His life is a reminder that God sees far deeper than we do…
and sometimes, He lets His saints see it too.
