Isidore the Farmer Patron Saint of Farmers
Feast Day: May 15
Isidore’s co-workers thought he was getting away with something. They didn’t think he was doing his fair share of the work. After all, he went to mass every morning while they were already at work in the field. If that wasn’t bad enough, Isidore took more time off throughout the day to pray. The landowner decided to check out these complaints. Imagine how astonished he was when he arrived at the field expecting to see Isidore slacking off, but instead, the master saw angels plowing along side Isidore!
Of course, this may only be a legend, but it points out how devoted to God Isidore was. He believed that God would always be with him and help him. He did not let anyone discourage him from praising and praying to God. The story about the angels claims that they did Isidore’s plowing for him to make up for the time he was away at mass. They either did the actual plowing in Isidore’s absence, or two angels plowed on either side of him to help make up the work he missed.
Isidore was born around the year 1070 near Madrid in Spain. His parents were very poor farmers but they loved God. They taught Isidore to love God and try not to sin. Isidore and his family believed that it was important to show love for God by helping others. They often gave away what little they had because someone else needed it more. Isidore loved animals and fed them, too, when they were hungry.
When he was a young man, Isidore went to work for a wealthy man in Madrid. The landowner, Juan de Vargas, owned a great deal of land and eventually, he grew to trust Isidore as a person and a farmer. Juan asked Isidore to manage his large estate.
Isidore met a young woman, Maria, who also loved God deeply. They married and had a son, but the child died unexpectedly. Maria and Isidore thought God might be telling them not to have any more children so while they stayed married, they lived a celibate life together. Maria also became a saint.
Philip III, Spain’s king in the early 1600's prayed for Isidore’s help. The king was seriously ill but miraculously recovered. King Philip believed that Isidore had helped him recover and worked for the canonization of Isidore. Isidore was beatified in 1619 by Pope Paul V and canonized in 1622 under Pope Gregory XV.
Connecting to Faith First® Legacy Edition
Grade 4, chapter 4
Connecting to Faith First® Original Edition
Grade 4, chapter 4