Today we celebrate the memorial of Saint Isidore the Farmer, the Patron Saint of Farmers and Rural Laborers.

Isidore began working devotedly on John de Vergas’s estate outside of Madrid when he was barely old enough to use a hoe. His father, John de Vergas, was a wealthy landowner from Madrid. He wed Maria de la Cabeza, a young lady who shared his simplicity and morality and later attained sainthood. One son, who was still a youngster, passed away.

Isidore is deeply devoted to the Christian Faith. He frequents the church early and spends many holidays touring Madrid’s churches and several churches near its territories. Isidore spent the entire day praying while tilling his farm. His coworkers occasionally complained that he frequently arrived late because he lingered in church for too long, which became a problem.

Isidore was well renowned for his compassion for the underprivileged, and there are stories of him providing them with food in a miraculous way. He was worried about how people ought to treat animals.

He passed away on May 15, 1130, and along with Saints Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, Teresa of Avila, and Philip Neri, he became a saint in 1622. The group is collectively referred to in Spain as “the five saints.”

Source: franciscanmedia.org