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St. Isidore the Farmer Feast Day October 25, in the USA Isidore, born at Madrid, was employed as a plowman; but, besides being a farmer in this sense, he was truly a prosperous farmer, aware of his real needs, in that he knew how to enrich the field of his own soul with a crop of virtues. For he used to "seek first the kingdom of God" be visiting the churches, especially those dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, early in the morning before he went out to work. Annoyed at the delays caused by these visits, his employer planned to rebuke him one morning. But, from the vantage point he had taken, he saw Isidore between two Angels, each of whom was plowing for him with a team of Oxen. Serving God in his brethren, Isidore used to distribute his wages to the needy. Once, when he had invited some poor people to a dinner, he was able to satisfy them all with the portion of food that had been saved for him. On another occasion, a hot summer day, he made water spring up from the ground by striking it with a goad-stick, and thereby quenched his employer's thirst. At an advanced age he fell asleep in the Lord. He was buried in the cemetery of St. Andrew; but later his body, still incorrupt, was moved to the church and given a place of honor, and its honor was enhanced by miracles. After four hundred years Isidore was enrolled among the Saints by Gregory XV. Pope Pius XII declared him the Patron of farmers in the United States of America. (From Matins of the feast of St. Isidore the Farmer) |