BEFANA (Ital., corrupted from Epifania, Epiphany), the Italian female counterpart of Santa Claus (St. Nicholas). On Epiphany, or Twelfth Night, she fills children's stockings with presents. Tradition relates that she was too busy to see the Three Wise Men of the East pass on their journey to pay ador ation to the Saviour, saying that she could see them on their re turn. They went back another way, and Befana was punished by having to look for them forever. In spite of her Santa Claus character, her name is used by Italian mothers to frighten the babies.