REFLECTIONS ON RURAL LIFE
St. Isidore the Farm Laborer
Feastday, May 15

Isidore, a farm laborer, often arrived late to work because he would first attend daily Mass. But it was said that angels assisted him in the fields at various times, so his wealthy employer could not admonish him for work not completed.

Once, when invited to a confraternity dinner, Isidore -- who loved the poor and often shared his meal with them -- remained so long in prayer at the church that the feast was nearly over when he arrived, accompanied by a train of beggars. The hosts feared that there would not be enough for so many. Isidore assured them that there would be enough for himself and for Christ’s poor. And so there was.

In an age when holiness was associated with celibacy and the monastery, Isidore was a married layman in the village. In an age when wealthy men were being awarded large tracts of land, Isidore was a poor man, a mere "hired hand" with no hope of ever owning a farm.

Yet this "hired hand" is now seen as one of "The Five Saints" of Spain. The royal family of Spain strongly advocated Isidore’s canonization. He was elevated along with no less than St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Francis Xavier, St. Teresa of Avila and St. Philip Neri, four of the greatest saints of the Catholic Reformation.

The life St. Isidore practically shouts at us the power and the glory of a God who is in complete control of creation. Can this medieval, miracle-working hired hand have anything to say to our jaded, suffering, confused and confusing world?

It is an important question, for it is after all the same question we must ask ourselves when we read these words of Christ: "If you have faith and do not waver...even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will be done. Whatever you ask in prayer in faith, you will receive." (Mt.21:21-22)

For this reflection on rural life, we thank Mary Kay Hummel, Director of Religious Formation & Community Development, Our Lady of Sorrows/Holy Trinity/Our Lady of Lourdes Parishes, Diocese of Columbus, Ohio.

We also invite you to visit the Ohio Catholic Rural Life Conference website: www.ohiocathconf.org/rural/rural_main.htm.


National Catholic Rural Life Conference
4625 Beaver Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50310-2199
(515) 270-2634
email address: info@ncrlc.com
website: www.ncrlc.com

This article was published in the Spring 2008 issue of Catholic Rural Life©. No portion of this article may be reproduced without written permission from The National Catholic Rural Life Conference. To purchase the Spring 2008 issue of Catholic Rural Life, please contact The National Catholic Rural Life Conference office at 4625 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50310-2199, call (515) 270-2634, or e-mail info@ncrlc.com. The cost is $2.50 an issue plus postage and handling.