Saint Isidore
Patronage: Patron of Madrid, protector of farmers and day labourers.
Feast Day: May 15th
Isidore was born to very poor parents in Madrid. Isidore later married Maria Torribia, Isidore and Maria had one son.On one occasion, their son fell into a deep well and, at the prayers of his parents, the water of the well miraculously rose to the level of the ground, bringing the child with it. In thanksgiving he and his wife separated to devote themselves to God.
Isodore, who at all times and in all places was seen expressing his faith in prayer was denounced by his fellow workers. Every morning before going to work, Isidore was accustomed to hearing Mass at one of the churches in Madrid. One day, his fellow labourers complained to their master that Isidore was always late for work in the morning. Upon investigation, the master found Isidore at prayer whilst an angel was doing the ploughing for him. On another occasion, his master saw an angel ploughing on either side of him, so that Isidore’s work was equal to that of three of his fellow labourers. Isidore also brought back to life his master’s deceased daughter, and caused a fountain of fresh water to burst from the dry earth to quench his master’s thirst.
He died in Madrid, in 1170. Isidore was initially buried beneath a gutter. Forty years later his body was found, completely intact, by a woman to whom Isidore had appeared to in a vision. His relics were then transferred to a church in San Andres. The testimonies of sick people who were healed near his tomb or by drinking from the spring he brought forth were reported to Pope Gregory XV, who canonized him in 1622.
What a amazing example of the power of prayer! We can learn much from Saint Isidore. For those of us with loved ones who work in labour intensive jobs, let us pray to St Isidore for the protection and safety of these people.
Originally posted 2014-05-06 04:08:45.