St. Isidore the Farmer was born near Madrid in 1070 and died on May 15, 1130. There are not too many details about him. Yet, what is known is sufficient to understand the popularity of this holy man in Spain and elsewhere. He was canonized with other noble Spaniards, St. Ignatius Loyola, St. Francis Xavier and St. Teresa of Avila on March 12, 1622. He was a day-laborer on a farm outside of Madrid, but every day found him at Mass at one of the churches in the city before he set out for his task. This happy combination of work and prayer and simple living, hearkening back to the Christly days in Nazareth, brings to fruition the graces of holiness given at Baptism. The stories about him, while legendary, cannot take away from the conviction that sanctity consists in the “doing of common things uncommonly well.” It is said that his employer on one occasion found Isidore at prayer while an angel did the plowing for him; at another time, an angel on either side tripled Isidore’s capacity at work. Many miracles have occurred through his intercession. Hailed as a patron of married life, it is affectionately recalled that he and his wife vowed celibacy in gratitude for the miracle which saved their son from drowning in a well.

Reflection — All, even the ordinary workman, can imitate Christ and the Saints and attain union with God through faithfulness to the duties of their state in life, especially those of prayer and frequenting the Sacraments.

Taken from Father Alban Butler's "Lives of the Saints for Every Day in the Year — With Reflections" Copyright 1955.