Joseph was born in 1603 as Joseph Desa at Cupertino near Brindisi
in the kingdom of Naples. His father was a carpenter who died
before Joseph was born. Creditors drove his mother from her home,
and Joseph was born in a stable. Starting at age 8, Joseph received
ecstatic visions that left him gaping and staring into space. His
nickname as a child was "Gaper". He had a hot temper, which his
strict mother worked to overcome.
At 17 Joseph applied for admittance to the Friars Minor, but was refused due to his lack of education. He applied to the Capuchins and was accepted as a lay brother in 1620 but his ecstasies made him unsuitable for work, and he was dismissed. Abused by his family, he continued his prayers, and was accepted at the Franciscan convent near Cupertino.
His virtues were such that he became a cleric at 22, a priest at 25. Joseph still had little education and could barely read or write, but received such a gift of spiritual knowledge and discernment that he could solve intricate questions.
His life became a series of visions and ecstasies which could be triggered any time or place. The sound of a church bell, church music, the mention of the name of God or of the Blessed Virgin or of a saint, any event in the life of Christ, the sacred Passion, a holy picture, the thought of the glory in heaven, etc., would send him into a trance. Yelling, beating, pinching, burning, piercing with needles - none of this would bring him from his trances, but he would return to the world on hearing the voice of his superior in the order. He would often levitate and float (which led to his patronage of people involved in air travel, especially pilots), and could hear heavenly music.
Even in the 17th century, there was interest in the unusual, and Joseph's ecstasies in public caused both admiration and disturbance in the community. For 35 years he was not allowed to attend choir, go to the common refectory, walk in procession, or say Mass in church. To prevent making a spectacle, he was ordered to remain in his room with a private chapel.
He was brought before the Inquisition, and sent from one Capuchin or Franciscan house to another. But Joseph retained his joyous spirit, submitting to Divine Providence, keeping seven Lents of 40 days each year and never letting his faith be shaken.