Saint of the day for February 4: the story of Saint Joseph of Leonissa

Giuseppe was born in Leonissa in the Kingdom of Naples. As a boy and a student in early adulthood, Joseph attracted attention for his energy and virtue. Offering in marriage the daughter of a nobleman, Joseph refused and instead joined the Capuchins in his hometown in 1573. Avoiding the secure compromises with which people sometimes undermine the Gospel, Joseph denied himself hearty meals and comfortable lodging while preparing for ordination and a life of preaching.

In 1587 he went to Constantinople to take care of the slaves of the Christian galleys who worked under the Turkish masters. Imprisoned for this job, he was warned not to take it back upon release. He did and was again imprisoned and then sentenced to death. Miraculously freed, he returns to Italy where he preaches to the poor and reconciles struggling families and cities in conflict for years. He was canonized in 1745.

Reflection

Saints often hurt us because they question our ideas about what we need for "the good life". “I will be happy when. . . , “We could say, wasting an incredible amount of time on the edge of life. People like Giuseppe da Leonissa challenge us to face life with courage and to get to the heart of it: life with God. Joseph was a convincing preacher because his life was as convincing as his words.