St. Isidore the Farmer (artist unknown)

God calls each of us in our own way, and sometimes it can lead to turning (what some might call) an ordinary life into an extraordinary one.

Isidore was a farmer who lived in the 12th century near Madrid, Spain. He and his wife lost their only child, a son, at an early age.  His relationship with God was a deep and devout one. He followed Christ’s example, helping feed the poor, and held a deep regard for the proper care of animals.

He died in 1130 and was named a saint in 1622, due in part to miraculous accounts of his feeding of the poor. Let St. Isidore, the patron saint of farmers and rural communities, be an example for all of us. That we may strive to live according to God’s will, that we show compassion and love for those in need.

“God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’ Then God said, ‘I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground – everything that has the breath of life in it – I give every green plant for food.’ And it was so.” (Genesis I:28-30)

 

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