May 15 2023 - St. Isidore the Farmer - Pray without ceasing

 At the beginning of this month on May 1, we celebrated the feast of Saint Joseph the worker.  Today we celebrate the feast of another laborer, a farmer. 

Not to be confused with Saint Isidore of Seville, Isidore the Farmer was born in Madrid, Spain in 1070.  He spent his whole life working as a farm laborer.  He married a girl as poor and holy as himself, and after their first and only son died in infancy, they lived the rest of their married life in perfect continence in imitation of the Holy Family.  His wife Maria de la Cabeza is also a canonized saint.

This holy couple also practiced great generosity towards the poor despite their limited circumstances.  The poor would often follow Isidore home from the farm, and would enjoy greater portions of food than Isidore and his wife.

Despite his poverty, his intense labors, and his life of charity, Isidore was a man of intense prayer. He would attend Mass daily, and all day long, as he walked behind the plow, he communed with God.  He made his day an offering to God in a simple, but heroic manner.  As he plowed the field and planted seeds in the soil, Isidore offered simple prayers for others.  

St. Isidore is a wonderful model of prayer. As we sit at our desk, walk or drive from one place to another, as we work in the kitchen, garden or garage, we can call to mind the presence of God. I’m reminded of a family friend from my hometown, who told me that as he worked his vineyard, he would sometimes drop to his knees and thank God for the wonderful gift of creation; or how he prayed as he tended his vines, and was then able to rightly thank God as he drank the fruit of his labors. 

Routine work can be turned into a beautiful prayer to God by saying a prayer with each piece of clothing folded, or each potato peeled, or praying the rosary while driving. In this way, we can grow in experience of God’s presence with us and to commune with Him and to “pray without ceasing”, as St. Paul exhorts Christians to do.

God calls farmers to be saints, as he calls doctors, teachers, retirees, priests, and the unemployed. By the heavenly intercession and holy example of St. Isidore, may we seek to make the whole of our day, our work and our rest, an offering to God for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For ever deeper faithfulness in following the commandments of Christ and for the grace to love those who are difficult to love. We pray to the Lord.

For lasting peace throughout the world: that Christ, the Prince of Peace will put an end to all enmity and division, and unify the peoples of the world.

That those chosen to represent us in government will use their authority to protect the dignity of human life and the welfare of the most vulnerable. 

For those experiencing any kind of hardship or sorrow, isolation or illness: that the Lord may grant his gift of peace to those most in need of it.

For all souls who await the resurrection, for all our departed loved ones and all of the souls in purgatory, and for N. for whom this Mass is offered. We pray to the Lord.

O God, who know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.

May 15 2017 - St. Isidore the Farmer - Rich in the treasures of the Spirit

Today we celebrate the memorial of St. Isidore the farmer. Isidore's parents were very religious and would have liked to provide their son with a first rate education, but since they were tenant farmers, they couldn’t afford it. So Isidore, too, would spend his life in the same occupation, working for the same rich landowner in Madrid all his life.  Isidore married a woman who was rich in virtue, but from a family as poor as his own.

One day, their son fell down a well, and they feared the worst. But, trusting in God they prayed for his safe return, and water in the well began to rise, and the boy was able to escape. Out of gratitude to God, from that day on, Isidore and his wife practiced perfect continence after the example of Mary and Joseph of the Holy Family.

Isidore would rise early every morning to go to Mass, he had a strong devotion to Mary, the saints, and would call upon his Guardian Angel to help him in his work. Coworkers sometimes complained he was late because of lingering in Church. One day his employer went out into the field and accused Isidore of neglecting the farm and Isidore replied, "I know, sir, that I am your servant but I have another Master as well, to Whom I owe service and obedience." Another time, the employer saw two strangers plowing for Isidore with a team of Oxen and realized they were angels who were helping Isidore make up work missed while at Mass.

Once, his parish was hosting a dinner. Isidore arrived with a group of beggars he had invited to the meal, and his fellow parishioners were upset with him, fearing there wasn’t going to be enough food. But the more they filled their plates the more there was for everyone else. To which Isidore replied, “there is always enough for the poor of Jesus”.

Isidore died on this date, May 15 in the year 1130. 40 years later, his remains, which had been buried in extremely wet ground were found incorrupt when they were exhumed and brought to the church of St. Andrew in Seville for veneration. The miracles surrounding his relics have been countless: heavenly music has been heard on the wind, he has appeared to protect Seville in times of danger, and has brought about healing miracles. Isidore is patron saint of farmers and of the United States National Catholic Rural Life Conference.

Isidore reminds us that sanctity can be achieved by all: the simple laborer, by putting Christ first, by devotion to the blessed mother and the saints, devout participation at holy mass, visits to the blessed sacrament chapel. Great sanctity doesn’t stem from status or even higher education, these things, in fact, can even become obstacles to sanctity.

Rather, simplicity and faith can bring about the flourishing of the human soul, the blooming of charity, and affluence in the riches of the spirit, for the Glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For Catholics in all walks of life, that we may achieve sanctity through our daily labors in service of the Lord.

For farmers, day laborers, and those who work by the sweat of their brow, that they may receive a just reward for their laborers, and for the unemployed and underemployed.

That spouses may help each other to grow rich in the treasures of heaven, and all those preparing for Holy Matrimony may do so rightly and chastely in the eyes of God.

That all families may seek to model themselves after the Holy Family and always know their guidance and protection.

For the sick, the suffering, the lonely, and the dying, that they may know the consolation of the grace of God.

For the deceased members of our family, friends, and parish, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, and for all those who have fought and died for our nation’s freedom.