St. Isidore the Farmer
Over the centuries there have been many canonized saints. For example, the patron saint of loss things is Saint Anthony of Padua and the patron saint of hopeless cases is St. Jude. Farmers have their own patron saint-St. Isidore. He is the patron saint of farmers, peasants, day-laborers, and rural communities.
Saint Isidore was born in 1070 in Madrid, Spain. His life consisted of hard manual labor on the farm balanced with his diligent attendance of daily Mass and profound devotion to prayer. He had a deep love for the poor and for animals. His life exemplified that holiness is found in the ordinary and the mundane.
In Catholic art, Saint Isidore is often depicted holding a sickle, which is a farming tool, and in the background, angels are seen guiding oxen in order to help him plow as he prays. This is because on several occasions, while St. Isidore was attending daily Mass, the angels were seen plowing his fields for him. When fellow workers complained of his late arrival, his employer envisioned this miraculous event, seeing white oxen, led by angels, working the land.
Saint Isidore was married to Maria Torribia, who was a Spanish peasant that was revered for her piety, charity and miracles. She was known for keeping a pot of stew on the fire, which miraculously refilled to feed the hungry. She also lived a humble life, becoming a hermit after their infant son died.
Amazingly, Maria was canonized a saint as well and is recognized as the patron saint of wives. She is also known as “Santa Maria de la Cabeza,” which translates to “Saint Mary of the Head” because her head is a revered relic that is invoked for rain. There is a tradition of carrying her skull in processions to invoke rain during periods of drought. Otherwise, the relic of her head is housed within the Real Colegiata de San Isidro in Madrid, where her husband’s incorrupt body resides as well.
Prayerful Reflection:
Through the intercession of Saint Isidore and his wife, St. Maria, please bless all of the farmers and day-laborers as well as all rural communities. Bless them for their hard work and sacrifice in tending the land. Thank You, Lord, for all of those involved in bringing us wonderful sustenance for our bodies. Strengthen and bless them now and always. Amen.
