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Isidore the Farmer

St. Isidore the Farmer

Born: 1070

Died: May 15, 1172

Canonized: March 12, 1622, by Pope Gregory XV

Feast Day: May 15

Patron Saint of: laborers, farmers

Also known as Isidore the Husbandman, Isidore the Laborer, and Isidore the Farm-Laborer.

St. Isidore the Farmer, born of a poor family near Madrid, Spain, was raised devoted to the faith; in fact, Isidore was named after his parent's patron saint, Isidore of Seville. As a young boy, Isidore was sent off to work in Madrid for John de Vargas to plow the fields. While working for John de Vargas, Isidore fell in love with a young woman that shared his devotion and faith. After the loss of their only child, the young couple decided to live the rest of their lives in continence. Isidore was widely known for his generosity. On several occasions, he was reported to have shared what little food he had with those less fortunate; and it is reported that these meager offerings miraculously doubled and redoubled until all were fed. Those jealous of Isidore informed de Vargas that his charitable activity was keeping Isidore from his responsibilities. When de Vargas investigated the allegations for himself, he did indeed find that Isidore was reporting to work late but his work was not suffering… what John de Vargas saw for himself was that unseen powers (which he surmised were in fact angels) were leading snow-white oxen on their plowing chores. In another miracle, Isidore shared some of his grain with hungry birds, but when the grain that remained was turned into flour, the amount was more than double what should have been produced by a full sack.