 Born
in Madrid, Spain, 1070; died there in 1130; canonized in 1622; feast day
formerly on May 10 and March 22, and October 25 in the U.S.A.
Saint Isidore's feast is celebrated in Madrid, Spain, with ringing
church bells and streets decorated for a procession in his honor. The
saint was born .into a peasant family. He was baptized Isidore in
honor of the famous archbishop
of Seville. His unreliable biography was written about 150 years after
his death. Much of it deals with miracles associated with his name.
Isidore was a day laborer, working on the farm of the wealthy John de
Vergas at Torrelaguna just outside Madrid. He married a poor girl, Maria
de la Cabeza. They had a son who died while still a baby. The
couple took a vow of continence to serve God. Isidore's life is a model of
simple Christian charity and faith. He prayed while at work, and he
visited the many churches in Madrid and the area while on holidays. He
shared what he had, even his meals, with the poor. He often gave
them the more than he had for himself.
He was steady and hard-working, but a complaint was made against him to
his employer that he arrived late to work because he attended early
morning Mass each day. When charged with his offense, he did not deny it
and explained to his employer: "Sir, it may be true that I am later
at my work than some of the other laborers, but I do my utmost to make up
for the few minutes snatched for prayer; I pray you compare my work with
theirs, and if you find I have defrauded you in the least, gladly will I
make amends by paying you out of my private store."
His employer said nothing, but
remained suspicious, and, being determined to find out the truth, rose one
morning at daybreak and concealed himself outside the church. In due
course, Isidore appeared and entered the building, and afterwards, when
the service was over, went to his work. Still following him, his employer
saw him take the plough into a field, and was about to confront him when,
in the pale, misty light of dawn, he saw, as he thought, a second plough
drawn by white oxen moving up and down the furrows. Greatly astonished, he
ran towards it, but even as
he ran it disappeared and he saw only Isidore
and his single-plow.
In such simple tales we find reflected the spirit of Saint Isidore, who
never ruled a diocese or was martyred for his faith, but who as truly
served God in the fields and on the farm as those in higher places and who
bore more famous names.
When he spoke to Isidore and enquired about the second
plough he had seen, Isidore replied in surprise: "Sir, I work alone
and know of none save God to whom I look for strength." Thus the
story grew that so great was his sanctity that the angels helped him even
in his plowing. It was characteristic of Isidore's entire life. He was a
simple plowman. His speech was clear and direct. His conduct
was honest, and his faith pure and steadfast. He was a poor man, but gave
away what he could, with a good and generous heart, and with such sympathy
and good will that his gifts seemed doubly blessed. He could not neglect
doing a kindness to man or beast.
One snowy day, when going to the mill with corn to be ground which his
wife had gleaned, he passed a flock of wood-pigeons scratching vainly for
food on the hard surface of the frosty ground. Taking pity on the poor
animals, he poured half of his sack of precious corn upon the ground for
the birds, despite the mocking of witnesses. When he reached the mill,
however, the bag was full, and the corn, when it was ground, produced
double the expected amount of flour.
His saintly wife survived
Isidore for several years. Forty years after his death, his body was
transferred to a shrine, and his cultus grew as a result of miracles
attributed to his intercession. He is said to have appeared in a vision to
King Alphonsus of Castile in 1211, and to have shown him an unknown path,
which he used to surprise and defeat the Moors. His canonization occurred
at the insistence of King Philip III, who attributed his recovery from a
serious illness to Isidore's intercession.
In art, Saint Isidore is portrayed as a peasant holding a sickle and a
sheaf of corn. He might also be shown (1) with a sickle and staff, (2) as
an angel plows for him, (3) giving a rosary to children by a well, mattock
on his feet, water springing from the well, (4) striking water from dry
earth with an angel plowing in the background, (5) before a cross, or (6)
with an angel and white oxen near him.
In Spanish art his emblems are a spade or a plough
(Tabor). He is the patron of Madrid, Spain, farmers and farm laborers, and
the U.S. National Catholic Rural Life Conference.
Our former Bishop, now Archbishop Raymond Burke, is a past Chairman of the National Catholic Rural Life
Conference. The statue of Saint Isidore pictured is one Father Pat brought back on a visit to Madrid
in the year 2000.
Prayer to
Saint Isidore (Farmer) and
Saint Maria de Cabeza (Farm Wife)
O holy Isidore and Maria,
continue to intercede for those who work the fields and grow our daily
food. Ask our Merciful God to continue to bless their efforts to
produce abundant food and fiber.
We ask your prayerful aid in the cultivation of the fields of our
hearts. Help us through God’s grace to grow in holiness and accept the
grace-filled opportunities God gives to us in our work, our marriages
and our everyday lives.
O holy Isidore, intercede with our Lord to send angels to aid us in
opening our hearts so that one day, enlightened by God’s wisdom and
having grown in God's likeness, we may join you and all the Saints in
Heaven.
O Most Holy Trinity, you have created us out of your love. We pray that
we will always recognize your presence in all that we are, all that we
do, and all that we will become.
Help us realize that your Message of Salvation is found in all of
Creation -- the fields, the plants, living water, fresh air, all
creatures, love for one another.
We await in joy and hope for the day, O Merciful God, when we will be
united with You in your Heavenly Kingdom.
Amen.
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