Today, February 4, is the memorial of Saint Joseph of Leonessa.
Joseph was born in 1556 in Leonessa, Kingdom of Naples, which is now modern-day Italy. He was known as a virtuous and intelligent student. He knew that he had a vocation, so he refused to get married. In fact, a nobleman wanted Joseph to marry his daughter, but the holy man said no. Instead, he joined the Capuchins in 1573.
He led an austere life, denying himself of delicious meals and a comfortable room and fasting for the entire year. He slept on a piece of wood, with a hard wooden block as his pillow. He would intentionally add ashes or water to his food as an act of self-denial.
In 1587, he went to Constantinople to minister to the Christian slaves. Because of his dedication to his ministry, Joseph was arrested, tortured, and even condemned to death.
Amazingly, he managed to get free and went back to Italy to continue preaching and serving as peace-maker. He took care of poor pilgrims, too, washing their clothes and cutting their hair. He raised a vegetable garden that gave him food to give to the poor.
He died of natural causes in Amatrice in 1612. Pope Clement XII beatified Joseph in 1737. Pope Benedict XIV canonized him in 1746.