ST ISIDORE, THE FARMER, AD 1130, MAY 15, 2026

Born in Madrid and named after the archbishop of Seville.
Worked in the service of a wealthy farmer in Madrid as a farm laborer.
Married and had one child who died young.
Both he and his wife served God.
St Isidore would go to daily Mass, and all day while ploughing he would commune with God or his guardian angel, or with the holy saints.
St Isidore was very generous in feeding the poor his lunch, and then eating scraps that were left over.
He loved animals. One day in the winter while taking corn to market to be ground, he came across birds who were looking for food. He opened one of the bags of corn and gave some to the birds. In spite of the derision of his companions, at the time of market, the bag of corn seemed to be full and it produced double the usual amount of flour.
Died on May 15, 1130. He appeared to have appeared to King Alphonsus of Castile then fighting the Moors. St Isidore showed him an unknown path by means of which he was able to surprise and defeat the enemy.
Was canonized in March 1623.
St. Isidore's wife, Maria Torribia, is recognized as a saint in the Catholic tradition. She is known in Spain as Santa María de la Cabeza and was beatified in 1697.
Both are patron saints of farmers.

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