Friday, September 18, 2009

St. Joseph of Cupertino is Awesome (Prayer Included)!


I didn't even plan to write my first blog back from my hiatus (I am free from homeworkland!) on St. Joseph of Cupertino's feast day but it all happened that way. I think it's entirely appropriate because thanks to him, and Joe of Verbum Veritatis, I was able to test out of that dreadful math course I was taking. For those of you who are from outside the U.S. and Canada and are wondering why the heck I'm taking a math course when I'm specifically studying Religious Studies, Philosophy, and Literature... well, to put it simply, it's part of our lower division requirements. We're all supposed to get a general education which involves subjects like math, science, speech, etc. Math and science, which are my least favorite subjects, are the last things on my list to be able to transfer elsewhere and to move onto upper division courses in which I will focus on my major. I don't mind science too much, and the Biological Psychology course isn't that bad - though I could do without their trying to get me to support stem cell research (not gonna happen, buddy!) - but math... *shudders*. Since it has been years since I last took a math course, I was stuck in an algebra class. The first two weeks of school I sat there and yawned the entire 2.5 hours I was stuck there. I kept telling myself "Hey, I know this stuff... why do I have to suffer through this again?" Luckily, thanks to the intercession of St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Joseph of Cupertino, the head of the assessment center allowed me to take the exam to see if I could test out of math. This was very difficult, and had actually attempted to do the same thing last year but they wouldn't let me, so the fact that I was given the opportunity was a miracle. They very rarely bend the rules like this for anyone.

As soon as I found out I has a chance to take the test, I took action. I was already on the first day of my twitter-facebook hiatus so I knew I would have time to study. I had forgotten a lot of the things I learned in high school so I called Joe and asked him to tutor me. (It helps when you have fellow Catholic friends who are majoring in Math. lol.) We set up a time and place (btw, Joe is awesome for driving an hour out to where I live!) and he helped me remember things I had forgotten. After nearly 3 hours of going over algebra equations (oy!) I was confident that I would do well on the test the next day. The next day comes and I completely blanked on everything again. Even up to an hour before I went in to take the test, I could not remember anything. I asked St. Joseph of Cupertino, who is the patron saint of exam takers, to please help me out. All I wanted was to test out of that dreadful algebra class and move onto Statistics next semester. My mom actually asked St. Joseph of Cupertino the same thing while I was taking the test, and you know a mother's prayer/blessing is worth a lot. :D As the test went on, I started remembering everything I'd gone over with Joe the day before... and memories of HS teachers writing things on the board a decade earlier. An hour and a half after starting the test, I got the final result: I not only passed, I was only 2-3 questions away from testing straight out of it. Having to take a semester of math (a class I didn't take in high school) is way better than the entire school year plus the Winter break of math. I was so happy, I yelled "Thank you, God!" in the assessment center, making the student workers laugh. I specifically asked St. Joseph of Cupertino to at least get me into the class I needed to be done with the math requirement next semester... and I did. See? He will totally help you out if you ask him to help you on your exam. Of course, don't expect him to help you ask for his intercession only because you are too lazy to study. Prayer and studying is the magic combo. :)

And, in case you need the prayer to St. Joseph of Cupertino for your exams, here it is (and be sure to tell others of this prayer when he intercedes for you):

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 paper I ) 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, Seat of divine wisdom, enlighten me.

Now I am free to not study math again until October when I'll be taking an 8 week course to help me strengthen my math a little more so I can kick tush in Stats next semester. Yay! Now all I will have to do is worry about Biological Psychology, Philosophy of Monotheistic Religions, and Interpersonal Communication. Bio Psych is the only one that makes me procrastinate but it's not that bad. :) To be quite honest, I'm more worried about how often my fellow classmates use the Lord's name in vain and how horrible the wardrobe choices other female classmates make than I am about my classes. I will write more about that hopefully tomorrow. *sigh* 15 Units (did I mention that I'm also taking a career planning course over the weekend for fun?)... this is my record and I hope to make it out alive at the end of the semester. lol. :D

I think I'm going to go look into the application process for Oxford right after this. Yes, THAT Oxford University, in England. It's a long shot (I have a better chance of striking it rich) but it won't hurt to apply. A former English/British Literature professor encouraged me to apply so I am going to. Wish me luck! :) Alright, that's all for now. I am going to go look at the international students requirements before my big brother (the one closest to me in age) comes over to check up on me. I wonder what the odds are of him not teasing me this time. Probably slim to none. lol.

I hope everyone had a great week! As always, thanks for reading and God Bless.

34 comments:

Joe of St. Thérèse said...

Anytime, anytime :)

Nina Hansen said...

Just found this blog! What an amazing place! I'm a 19-yr old Catholic who has a very hard time connecting with other Catholics, so this is very inspiring.

Melissa Cecilia said...

Sorry for the delay in commenting. Thanks, Nina. :D I hope your journey gets easier. I'm always here if you need someone to talk to about Catholicism. :)

meribeth44 said...

Emmy Cecilia, I am thrilled that you posted this about my patron saint, St. Joseph of Cupertino. I especially liked the sentence, "Of course, don't expect him to help you ask for his intercession only because you are too lazy to study. Prayer and studying is the magic combo." So true! He has and continues to help me thru exams. Every year, on his feast, I set up my display (statue, relic, articles, pictures, maps, VHS movie, books) for the Sisters in my community (Sisters of Notre Dame, sndchardon.org) so I can keep the promise, "In return I promise to make you known and cause you to be invoked." God bless you on your journey. May you fly high in the Lord with our Giuseppe! Sister Meribeth, SND

Melissa Cecilia said...

Thank you, Sr. Meribeth. :) And, I LOVE what you do for his feast day. :D Every time I pass a test in which I ask for his intercession, I either twitter or blog about it... or if it's a major one, I ask my parish to say add a thanksgiving intention to the Mass. :)

Thank you for leaving a comment. God Bless you!

A said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Debbie Gum- Your Celebrating Home Designer said...

Hi Emmy,
I googled "patron saint of test taking" and your blog popped up. I have two exams next week in order to renew my teacher's certification. I have been busy studying, but needed to find a prayer. I printed out the prayer from your blog. Please pray for me.
Thanks,
Debbie Gum

kccomputerpilot said...

+JMJ

Hello Emmy,

I googled St. Joseph of Cupertino and it took me to your blog. You surely have and continue to keep your promise to him.

I just started a Novena to St. Joseph, husband of the Immaculate Virgin and Foster Father to our Great Lord and Savior.

I have a difficult exam coming up in 9 days and am asking Both to help me pass. I have taken it twice before and just wasn't able to pull through. I along with my family have sacrificed much in my preparation for this retake along with my previous two failed exams. I very much could use their help to have a clear mind and assist me to have questions on the exam I know and remember so I pass this time. God bless you and thanks for spreading the Truth (Him and those that earned sainthood by doing his will as you are doing now. Emmy please pray for me as The Lord and St. Joseph of Cupertino are faithful to those who ask for intercession in times of need.

In Christ,
Ryan Schmidt

kccomputerpilot said...

Did you get my post...don't know if it got through to you?

Melissa Cecilia said...

Ryan,

the comments are moderated which is why they don't post quickly. I'm also not on the computer all the time so it may take a while but I'll get to it. :)

Good luck on your exam! I will definitely pray for you and for a pass on your exam.

kccomputerpilot said...

Thanks Emmy!

djperera said...

St. Joseph of Cupertino made me pass my previous exams miraculously. Today I'm starting the biggest exams of my life which I'm sure to do my best with the intercession of st. Joseph of Cupertino.

Melissa Cecilia said...

Good luck, DJ!

Mags knows! said...

Thank you for posting this blog. I need a lot of prayers to pass the Series 65 this coming Tuesday. It is very hard; I've taken it twice to only get a 68 then 69 and to pass I need a 72. Dear God please help me to study on these last two study days and to pass this test. I will totally spread this prayer around. Thank you! Margaret

kccomputerpilot said...

A special thanks to St. Joseph of Cupertino. I took my 3rd retake of the CISSP exam on Nov. 18, 2013. I took the full 6hrs to finish the exam as I needed every second just to finish (last exam I finished in 3hrs). Thinking I didn't pass, as this exam was much more difficult and than the previous two, I didn't look at the exam result printout until 2 hrs after sitting. I passed!!!

Melissa Cecilia said...

Congrats, Ryan!

mother of 4 said...

I said this prayer for my daughter, Kelsey, who is taking a Civics test as I am posting this. She works very hard, but tests do not come easy. I am confident that St. Joseph of Cupertino will provide the confidence and wisdom she needs to do well on this test. AMEN!

mother of 4 said...

I have said this prayer as my daughter is taking a Civics Test. She works very hard, but tests are not easy for her. I am praying to St. Joseph of Cupertino that she may have confidence and wisdom in taking this test. Amen.

eileen said...

I really need help I am taking the Praxis Math Elementary Test on the 19th of April. I will pray to St. Joseph. Can I ask others to as well. I am taking this for the 3rd time.

Unknown said...

Thank you St. Joseph of Cupertino. My daughter had to take a 4 part test that included a several practicals. She said her brain was telling her to do one thing, but her hands were doing something else. We believe it was through your intercession that God guided her hands through this test. Only 50./. Passed, and my daughter was one of them.

Praise God!

Unknown said...

As a middle school math teacher, I spend all of my time preparing my students for their high-stakes end-of-course exam. A few weeks ago, I found out that their test was scheduled for the same day as my daughter's pre-school graduation, which I wouldn't miss for the world! I began praying to St. Joseph of Cupertino on behalf of my students, who would be taking the test without my reassuring presence; since I work in a public school, I couldn't exactly encourage them to do so. Anyway, less than a week later, we received notice that my daughter's graduation had been rescheduled! I thank St. Joseph for his intercession and hope others will continue to call upon him for aid.

Unknown said...

Pls pray for me to pass this time financial management paper which I am appearing for the fourth time.Oh St. Joseph of cupertino help me. Thank you Amen

Unknown said...

Please pray for my daughter to pass her PLT Exam. Oh St. Joseph of Cupertino. Amen

Unknown said...

I just learned of this saint. I pray I pass my test tomarrow.

Unknown said...

thank you st.joseph of cupertino for your intercession.in my exam passing.to God be the glory.

Unknown said...

Please, St. Joseph of Cupertino, help me pass my State Board on Thursday February 19, 2015! Please present me with the test that I know ALL the answers for all the questions asked! I ask this in Jesus's name! Thank You!❤

Unknown said...

I am so glad about this blogs and others.Because, I have look for ways to pass my class. Praying fasting and asking gof to help me. And one day I went to church and began to pray and cry and the sunlight let up the Blessing Virgin Mary.She led me to St. Joseph of Cupertino prayer.

Unknown said...

Thank you Saint Joseph of Cupertino for helping me pass my test.

Unknown said...

Thank you St Joseph of Cupertino for helping my niece pass her test

Unknown said...

Please pray for me to pass my mcat exam on 2/3/2016 that the questions reflect the information I know.....St.Joseph Cupertino pray for me

Unknown said...

Thank you Saint Joseph of Cupertino for helping me pass my exams. You are amazing.

Echav999 said...

St Cupertino I implore you help me pass my nursing boards. May I apply knowledge and wisdom and obtain my license . In Jesus name. Amen

Echav999 said...

St Cupertino please help me PASS and accomplish obtaining my nursing license. I implore of your help as I attempt a 4 th try.

Unknown said...

St. Joseph of Cupertino please help me pass my nursing exams & finals @ Del Mar College. 1216 Gas Exchange, 1216 final physical health assessment, 1430 Sleep/Diversity, 1430 final, & 1125 final. Please be with me as I study to help me retain the knowledge and guide me to the right answers. I promise to be ever mindful of your help. In Jesus name. Amen!! -Jeannie Hernandez