### GIUSEPPA MARIA di SANT'AGNESE, Blessed
Augustinian nun of the Discalced Congregation in the monastery of Benigánim, in the province of Valencia, Spain. Born into a poor family on 9 February 1625, she died on 21 January 1696. On 25 October 1643 she received the religious habit. She was distinguished by remarkable purity and patience in adversity: for several years she remained mute. She was beatified by Leo XIII on 26 February 1888. Feast day: 21 January.
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### GIUSEPPE (Hebr. fòsèph; Ps. 81, 6 fèhòsèph = God increases)
The JACOB, MAX (v.) and Rachel. His life (Gen. 37; 39-48; 50) is eventful. Envied by his brothers, he was sold into slavery in Egypt after being falsely accused by his master’s wife. Joseph, though innocent, was imprisoned. Skilled and inspired in dream interpretation, he first gained favor with the royal cupbearer and then the king, rising to become viceroy and chief commissioner of Egypt’s food supply. Driven by famine, his brothers traveled to Egypt, where Joseph recognized them though they did not recognize him. He subjected them to various trials before ultimately reconciling with them (God has made all things for the best), bringing his father to Egypt and securing for the family, with Pharaoh’s permission, the land of Goshen as their permanent dwelling. This marked the beginning of the Israelites’ sojourn—and later servitude—in Egypt.
Joseph died in Egypt and was buried there, but during the Exodus the Israelites carried his remains to Shechem (Gen. 48:22), the land given to him by his father (Josh. 24:32).
Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, adopted by Jacob, were regarded as heads of two tribes in Israel.