Joseph of Copertino
(1603–63),Franciscan priest. He was born of poor parents, at Copertino near Brindisi, in a garden shed because his father, a carpenter, had had to sell his house to pay debts. Resented by his mother, who was soon widowed, he had an unhappy childhood; he was nicknamed ‘the Gaper’ for his habit of wandering about open-mouthed. This was combined with a hot temper and an exemplary performance of religious duties. Attempts to join the Franciscan conventuals and Capuchins in this poverty-stricken area were alike unsuccessful: after eight months with the Capuchins when he forgot to do what he was told, dropped piles of plates and dishes on the floor, and neglected to tend the all-important kitchen fire, he was dismissed. A wealthy uncle failed to come to the rescue; his mother wanted to be rid of him and arranged for him to work as a servant for the Franciscan conventuals at Grottella. There he quickly grew in efficiency and in religious spirit to such an extent that he was admitted as a novice in ... ...
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