Saint Isidore the Farmer
Saint of the Day for May 15
(1070 – May 15, 1130)
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Saint Isidore the Farmer’s Story
Isidore has become the patron of farmers and rural communities. In
particular, he is the patron of Madrid, Spain, and of the United States
National Rural Life Conference.
When he was barely old enough to wield a hoe, Isidore entered the
service of John de Vergas, a wealthy landowner from Madrid, and
worked faithfully on his estate outside the city for the rest of his life. He
married a young woman as simple and upright as himself who also
became a saint—Maria de la Cabeza. They had one son, who died as
a child.
Isidore had deep religious instincts. He rose early in the morning to go
to church and spent many a holiday devoutly visiting the churches of
Madrid and surrounding areas. All day long, as he walked behind the
plow, he communed with God. His devotion, one might say, became a
problem, for his fellow workers sometimes complained that he often
showed up late because of lingering in church too long.
He was known for his love of the poor, and there are accounts of
Isidore’s supplying them miraculously with food. He had a great
concern for the proper treatment of animals.
He died May 15, 1130, and was declared a saint in 1622, with Saints
Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, Teresa of Avila, and Philip Neri.
Together, the group is known in Spain as “the five saints.”
Reflection
Many implications can be found in a simple laborer achieving
sainthood: Physical labor has dignity; sainthood does not stem from
status; contemplation does not depend on learning; the simple life is
conducive to holiness and happiness. Legends about angel helpers
and mysterious oxen indicate that his work was not neglected and his
duties did not go unfulfilled. Perhaps the truth which emerges is this: If
you have your spiritual self in order, your earthly commitments will fall
into order also. “[S]eek first the kingdom [of God] and his
righteousness,” said the carpenter from Nazareth, “and all these
things will be given you besides” (Matthew 6:33).
Saint Isidore the Farmer is the Patron Saint of:
Farmers
Laborers
ISIDORE THE FARMER
Feast Day: May 15
Canonized: March 12, 1622
Beatified: May 2, 1619
The other farmhands thought Isidore was lazy and caused them extra work. Like them, Isidore was a day
laborer on a wealthy estate in Madrid, Spain, about a thousand years ago. Because Isidore took time to
go to Mass before coming to work, the other farmers thought they were doing some of his share of the
work. They didn’t like that. Little did they know that Isidore did have some extra help, but it wasn’t them!
After hearing his farmhands complain about this praying worker, the land owner, Juan de Vargas, went to
see what the trouble was all about. To his surprise, he saw two angels guiding the plow. If the angels
weren’t doing all the plowing in Isidore’s absence, they stood next to him and plowed along side. This way
Isidore did more than twice the work he could have on his own, and while he was at Mass, his work was
getting done, too. Juan believed in the miracle he saw, and he and would come to see more in his
lifetime. He believed that Isidore saved his daughter’s life. He also believed that Isidore saved the life of a
horse that was very important for the farming.
Whether or not all these miracles actually happened, we cannot know. But for sure we know that Isidore
was deeply devoted to God and showed many others how God is always by our side. Nothing got in the
way of his praying to God and worshiping.
Around the year 1070, Isidore was born to poor framers near Madrid in Spain. Although his family was
poor, they loved and served God. Isidore and his family believed that it was important to show love for
God by helping others. They often gave away what little they had because someone else needed it more.
Isidore had a special affection for animals. He fed and cared for them, too.
Isidore met a young woman, Maria Torribia, who also loved God deeply. They married and had a son, but
the child died unexpectedly. Maria and Isidore decided not to try to have any other children because they
thought God was calling them to a different kind of life. Although they always loved each other, they spent
their time caring for those in need and praising God. Maria also became a saint.
Isidore died in 1130 and was canonized in 1622. He and Maria are still very popular in Spain. The
Spanish have a dance that honors Isidore and Maria. They also have processions that are used to bless
their fields and animals. The Spanish believe that these two saints are very important to the success of
their harvests. He is often called St. Isidore the Farmer or St. Isidore the Laborer and is the patron saint of
farmers in the United States.
Connecting to Be My Disciples®
Grade 1, chapter 23
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Connecting to Blest Are We® Parish and School
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Saint Joseph Biography
Saint (d. c. 1)
First appearing in the gospels of Matthew and Luke, Saint Joseph was
the earthly father of Jesus Christ and the husband of the Virgin Mary.
Who Was Saint Joseph?
Venerated as a saint in many Christian sects, Saint Joseph is a biblical figure who is believed to
have been the corporeal father of Jesus Christ. Joseph first appears in the Bible in the gospels
of Matthew and Luke; in Matthew, Joseph's lineage is traced back to King David. According to
the Bible, Joseph was born circa 100 B.C.E. and later wed the Virgin Mary, Jesus's mother. He
died in Israel circa 1 A.D.
Fact and Fiction
Everything we know about Saint Joseph, the husband of Mary and the foster father of Jesus,
comes from the Bible, and mentions of him are underwhelming. The 13 New Testament books
written by Paul (the epistles) make no reference to him at all, nor does the Gospel of Mark, the
first of the Gospels. Joseph first appears in the Bible in the gospels of Matthew and Luke, one of
which (Matthew) traces Joseph's lineage back to King David.
To add to the problem of not knowing enough about Joseph, some apocryphal writings—such as
the second-century Protevangelium of James and the fourth-century History of Joseph the
Carpenter—muddy the historical waters further, presenting him as a widower with children
when he met Mary and claiming that he lived to the age of 111. These claims, however, are
spurious and are not accepted by the church.
Marriage to Mary
After marrying Mary, Joseph found that she was already pregnant, and being "a just man and
unwilling to put her to shame" (Matt. 1:19), he decided to divorce her quietly, knowing that if he
did so publicly, she could be stoned to death. An angel, however, came to Joseph and told him
that the child Mary carried was the son of God and was conceived by the Holy Spirit, so Joseph
kept Mary as his wife.
After Jesus's birth in Bethlehem, an angel came to Joseph again, this time to warn him and Mary
about King Herod of Judaea and the violence he would bring down upon the child. Joseph then
fled to Egypt with Mary and Jesus, and the angel appeared again, telling Joseph that Herod had
died and instructing him to return to the Holy Land.
Avoiding Bethlehem and possible actions by Herod's successor, Joseph, Mary and Jesus settled
in Nazareth, in Galilee. The Gospels describe Joseph as a "tekton," which traditionally has meant
"carpenter," and it is assumed that Joseph taught his craft to Jesus in Nazareth. At this point,
however, Joseph is never mentioned again by name in the Bible—although the story of Jesus in
the temple includes a reference to "both his parents."
Death and Sainthood
The circumstances of Joseph's death are not known, but it is likely that he died before Jesus's
ministry began, and it is implied that he was dead before the Crucifixion (John 19:26-27).
Already a patron saint of Mexico, Canada and Belgium, in 1870, Joseph was declared patron of
the universal church by Pope Pius IX, and in 1955 Pope Pius XII established May 1 as the "Feast
of Saint Joseph the Worker" to counter the Communists' May Day.
St. Louis IX
1. Catholic Online
2. Saints & Angels
Author and Publisher - Catholic Online
Facts
Feastday: August 25
Patron of Third Order of St. Francis, France, French monarchy; hairdressers
Birth: 1214
Death: 1270
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Louis IX was born in Poissy, France in 1214 to Louis VIII and Blanche of Castille.
He succeeded to the throne at the age of twelve under the regency of his mother.
On his twenty-first birthday he assumed full kingship. He was well known for
protecting the French clergy from secular leaders and for strictly enforcing laws
against blasphemy. Louis generally remained neutral in international disputes.
However, because of a dispute between the Count of Le Marche and the Count
of Poitiers, in which Henry III supported the Count of Le Marche, he was forced
to go to war with England. In 1242 Louis defeated Henry III at Tailebourg. After
the war, he made restitution to the innocent people whose property had been
destroyed. He established the Sorbonne (1252) and the monasteries of
Rayaumont, Vavert, and Maubuisson. Louis led two crusades, the Sixth and the
Seventh Crusades. He was captured and imprisoned during the Sixth (1244-
1249). At the onset of the Seventh Crusade in 1270, Louis died of
dysentry. Boniface VIII canonized him in 1297.
Saint Juan Diego
Saint of the Day for December 9
(1474 – May 30, 1548)
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Saint Juan Diego’s Story
Thousands of people gathered in the Basilica of Our Lady of
Guadalupe July 31, 2002, for the canonization of Juan Diego, to whom
the Blessed Mother appeared in the 16th century. Pope John Paul II
celebrated the ceremony at which the poor Indian peasant became
the Church’s first saint indigenous to the Americas.
The Holy Father called the new saint “a simple, humble Indian” who
accepted Christianity without giving up his identity as an Indian. “In
praising the Indian Juan Diego, I want to express to all of you the
closeness of the Church and the pope, embracing you with love and
encouraging you to overcome with hope the difficult times you are
going through,” John Paul said. Among the thousands present for the
event were members of Mexico’s 64 indigenous groups.
First called Cuauhtlatohuac (“The eagle who speaks”), Juan Diego’s
name is forever linked with Our Lady of Guadalupe because it was to
him that she first appeared at Tepeyac hill on December 9, 1531. The
most famous part of his story is told in connection with the Feast of
Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12. After the roses gathered in
his tilma were transformed into the miraculous image of Our Lady,
however, little more is said about Juan Diego.
In time he lived near the shrine constructed at Tepeyac, revered as a
holy, unselfish, and compassionate catechist, who taught by word and
especially by example.
During his 1990 pastoral visit to Mexico, Pope John Paul II confirmed
the long-standing liturgical cult in honor of Juan Diego, beatifying him.
Twelve years later the same pope proclaimed him a saint.
Reflection
God counted on Juan Diego to play a humble, yet huge role in
bringing the Good News to the peoples of Mexico. Overcoming his
own fear and the doubts of Bishop Juan de Zumarraga, Juan Diego
cooperated with God’s grace in showing his people that the Good
News of Jesus is for everyone. Pope John Paul II used the occasion
of Juan Diego’s beatification to urge Mexican lay people to assume
their responsibilities for passing on the Good News and witnessing to
it.
Saint Juan Diego and Our Lady
FR. WILLIAM SAUNDERS
The story begins in the early morning hours of December 9, 1531, when a 57 -
year-old Indian peasant named Juan Diego was walking along the path of
Tepayec Hill on the outskirts of Mexico City.
Keep in mind that only 10 years earlier, Hernando Cortez
had conquered Mexico City. In 1523, Franciscan missionaries came evangelizing the Indian people.
They were so successful that the Diocese of Mexico City was established in 1528. (Remember too
that Jamestown, the first permanent English colony, was not established until 1607.) Juan Diego and
many of his family members were among these early converts to the faith. He was baptized "Juan
Diego" in 1525 along with his wife, Maria Lucia, and his uncle Juan Bernardino.
One must also not forget that Juan Diego had grown up under Aztec oppression. The Aztec religious
practices, which included human sacrifice, play an interesting and integral role in this story. Every
major Aztec city had a temple pyramid, about 100 feet high, on top of which was erected an altar.
Upon this altar, the Aztec priests offered human sacrifice to their god Huitzilopochtli, called the
"Lover of Hearts and Drinker of Blood," by cutting out the beating hearts of their victims, usually adult
men but often children. Considering that the Aztecs controlled 371 towns and the law required 1,000
human sacrifices for each town with a temple pyramid, over 50,000 human beings were sacrificed
each year. Moreover, the early Mexican historian Ixtlilxochitl estimated that one out of every five
children fell victim to this bloodthirsty religion.
In 1487, when Juan Diego was just 13 years old, he would have witnessed the most horrible event:
Tlacaellel, the 89-year-old Aztec ruler, dedicated the new temple pyramid of the sun, dedicated to
the two chief gods of the Aztec pantheon Huitzilopochtli and Tezcatlipoca, (the god of hell and
darkness) in the center of Tenochtitlan (later Mexico City). The temple pyramid was 100 feet high
with 114 steps to reach the top. More than 80,000 men were sacrificed over a period of four days
and four nights. While this number of sacrifices seems incredible, evidence indicates it took only 15
seconds to cut the heart out of each victim. (For more information, see Our Lady of Guadalupe and
the Conquest of Darkness by Dr. Warren Carroll.)
Nevertheless, in 1520, Hernando Cortes outlawed human sacrifice. He stripped the temple pyramid
of its two idols, cleansed the stone of its blood and erected a new altar. Cortez, his soldiers and
Father Olmedo then ascended the stairs with the Holy Cross and images of the Blessed Mother and
St. Christopher. Upon this new altar, Father Olmedo offered the sacrifice of the Mass. Upon what
had been the place of evil pagan sacrifice, now the unbloody, eternal and true sacrifice of our Lord
was offered. Such an action, however, sparked the all-out war with the Aztecs, whom Cortez finally
subdued in August 1521.
Now back to our story. That morning Juan Diego was headed to Mass. As he walked along Tepeyac
Hill, he began to hear beautiful strains of music, and he saw a beautiful lady, who called his name:
"Juanito, Juan Dieguito." He approached, and she said, "Know for certain, least of my sons, that I
am the perfect and perpetual Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus, the true God, through whom everything
lives, the Lord of all things near and far, the Master of Heaven and earth. It is my earnest wish that a
temple be built here to my honor. Here I will demonstrate, I will manifest, I will give all my love, my
compassion, my help and my protection to the people. I am your merciful mother, the merciful
mother of all of you who live united in this land, and of all mankind, of all those who love me, of those
who cry to me, of those who seek me, and of those who have confidence in me. Here I will hear their
weeping, their sorrow, and will remedy and alleviate all their multiple sufferings, necessities, and
misfortunes."
She told Juan Diego to go tell Bishop Zumarraga of her desire for a church to be built at the site.
Tradition holds that Juan Diego asked our Blessed Mother her name. She responded in his native
language of Nahuatl, "Tlecuatlecupe," which means "the one who crushes the head of the serpent"
(a clear reference to Genesis 3:15 and perhaps to the prominent symbol of the Aztec religion).
"Tlecuatlecupe" when correctly pronounced, sounds remarkably similar to "Guadalupe."
Consequently, when Juan Diego told Bishop Zumarraga her name in his native tongue, he probably
confused it with the familiar Spanish name "Guadalupe," a city with a prominent Marian shrine.
Bishop Zumarraga was a saintly man, very just and compassionate. He built the first hospital, library
and university in the Americas. He also was the Protector of the Indians, entrusted by Emperor
Charles V to enforce his decree issued in August 1530, stating, "No person shall dare to make a
single Indian a slave whether in war or in peace. Whether by barter, by purchase, by trade, or on any
other pretext or cause whatever." (Note that in 1537 Pope Paul III condemned and forbade the
enslavement of the Native American Indian.) However, Bishop Zumarraga listened patiently to Juan
Diego, and said he would reflect on the matter, understandably doubting such a story.
Juan Diego went back to Tepayac and reported the bishop's response. Mary instructed him to try
again. So the next day, he did. Although this time it was more difficult to see the bishop, Juan Diego
prevailed, and the bishop once more listened patiently. However, the bishop asked him to bring back
a sign from Mary to prove the story. Again, Juan Diego reported the matter to our Blessed Mother,
who told him to return the next day to receive "the sign" for the bishop.
On December 11, Juan Diego spent the day caring for his very sick uncle, Juan Bernardino. He
asked Juan Diego to go and bring a priest who would hear his confession and administer the last
rites. On December 12, Juan Diego set out again, but avoided Tepeyac Hill because he was
ashamed that he had not returned the previous day as our Blessed Mother had requested. While
making his detour, the Blessed Mother stopped him and said, "Hear and let it penetrate into your
heart, my dear little son: let nothing discourage you, nothing depress you. Let nothing alter your
heart or your countenance. Also, do not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety or pain. Am I not here
who am your mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not your fountain of life?
Are you not in the folds of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else that you
need?" Mary reassured Juan Diego that his uncle would not die; in fact, his health had been
restored.
As for the sign for the bishop, Mary told Juan Diego to go to the top of the mountain and pick some
flowers. He went up to the hill which was dry and barren a place for cactus and found roses like
those grown in Castille, but foreign to Mexico. He gathered them in his tilma, a garment like a
poncho. He brought them to Mary who arranged them and said to take them to the bishop.
Juan Diego proceeded again to Bishop Zumarraga's house. After waiting a while for an audience, he
repeated the message to the bishop and opened his tilma to present the roses. The bishop saw not
only the beautiful flowers but also the beautiful image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Bishop Zumarraga
wept at the sight of the Blessed Mother and asked forgiveness for doubting. He took the tilma and
laid it at the altar in his chapel. By Christmas of that year, an adobe structure was built atop Tepeyac
Hill in honor of our Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and it was dedicated on December 26,
1531, the feast of St. Stephen the Martyr.
December 9 marks the feast day of Saint Juan Diego and December 12, the feast of Our Lady of
Guadalupe.
