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aint Isidro was born towards the end of the XI th century, in 1082, gifted with a burning faith in God and love for his town of Madrid.
His deep love for the Holy Eucharist, his affectionate devotion to the
Virgin Mary, his total commitment to church life, moved him to identify himself
with the town, the children, the handicapped, in general, with all those who
suffered hunger in body or soul, with all the creatures of God, making him in a
way a predecessor of Seraphim of Asis.
His unlimited charity made his fellow contemporaries admire him and
venerate him as a Saint. Along with his wife, Maria de la Cabeza, they be came
one heart and one soul.
The
Lord blessed their marriage with a son, Illán, who was the cause of one of
Saint Isidro’s most marvellous miracles: he raised him from the dead after he
had fallen into the deep waters of a well.
On another occasion, he brought Maria
de Vargas back to life. She was the daughter of his master and also his
godchield.
The life of the married couple kindled the fervor of the town of Madrid
by such prodigious acts.
Saint Isidro died on November 30th, 1172, when he was about 90
years old, and was buried in
his parish cementery of saint Andrew.
By divine revelation, forty years later in 1212, his incorrupte body was
discovered. Saint Isidro was
beatified by Pope Paul V on june 14, 1619, and his feast day was set for may 15th
.
Pope
Gregory XV canonized saint Isidro on the 12th of
march of 1622. Nevertheless, because of the Pope´s early death, the pontifical
bull “Rationi Congruit” of canonization
was put off until june 4, 1724, when it was finally signed by Pope Benedict
XIII.
Saint Isidro has been the patron saint of Madrid since 1212, and may 15th,
a holy day of obligation in the capital of Spain since 1621.
Pope John XXIII extended the patronage of Saint Isidro to all the Spanish
farmers, and agricultural labourers in his papel bull, “agri culturam”,
dated in Rome on the 16th of December, 1960.
| ST. ISIDORE OF MADRID, LABORER, PATRON OF MADRID |
| Feast: May 15 |
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It is a misfortune which deserves to be lamented with floods of tears, that ignorance, obstinacy, and vice should so often taint a country life, the state which of all others is most necessary and important to the world; the most conformable to a human condition and to nature; the state which was sanctified by the example of the primitive holy patriarchs, and which affords the most favorable opportunities for the perfect practice of every virtue and Christian duty. What advantageous helps to piety did the ancient hermits seek in the deserts, which the circumstances of a country laborer do not offer? The life of St. Isidore is a most sensible proof of this assertion. He was born at Madrid, of poor but very devout parents, and was christened Isidore from the name of their patron, St. Isidore of Seville. They had not the means to procure him learning or a polite education; but, both by word and example, they infused into his tender soul the utmost horror and dread of all sin, and the most vehement ardor for every virtue, and especially for prayer. Good books are a great help to holy meditation; but not indispensably requisite. St. Irenaeus mentions whole nations which believed in Christ, and abounded in exemplary livers, without knowing the use of ink or paper. Many illustrious anchorets knew no other alphabet than that of humility and divine charity. The great St. Antony himself could not so much as read the Greek or Latin languages: nay, from the words of St. Austin, some doubt whether he could read even his own barbarous Egyptian dialect. Yet in the science of the saints, what philosopher or orator ever attained to the A B C of that great man? Learning, if it puffs up the mind, or inspires any secret self-sufficiency, is an impediment to the communications of the Holy Ghost: simplicity and sincere humility being the dispositions which invite him into the soul. By these was Isidore prepared to find him an interior instructor and comforter. His earnestness in seeking lessons and instructions of piety made him neglect no opportunity of hearing them; and so much the more tender and the deeper were the impressions which they left in his soul, as his desire was the stronger and the more pure. His patience in bearing all injuries and in overcoming the envy of fellow-servants by cordial kindnesses, his readiness to obey his masters, and in indifferent things to comply with the inclinations of others, and humbly to serve every one, gave him the most complete victory over himself and his passions. Labor he considered as enjoined him by God in punishment of sin, and for a remedy against it. And he performed his work in a spirit of compunction and penance. Many object that their labors and fatigues leave them little time for the exercises of religion. But Isidore, by directing his attention according to the most holy motives of faith, made his work a most perfect act of religion. He considered it as a duty to God. Therefore he applied himself to it with great diligence and care, in imitation of the angels in heaven, who in all things fulfil the will of God with the greatest readiness and alacrity of devotion. The more humbling and the more painful the labor was, the dearer it was to the saint, being a means the more suitable to tame his flesh, and a more noble part of his penance. With the same spirit that the saints subdued their bodies by toils in their deserts, Isidore embraced his task. He moreover sanctioned it by continual prayer. While his hand held the plough, he in his heart conversed with God, with his angel guardian, and the other blessed spirits; sometimes deploring the sins of the world, and his own spiritual miseries, at other times in the melting words of the royal prophet, raising his desires to the glory of the heavenly Jerusalem. It was chiefly by this perfect spirit of prayer, joined with, or rather engrafted upon a most profound humility and spirit of mortification, that St. Isidore arrived at so eminent a degree of sanctity as rendered him the admiration of all Spain. In his youth he was retained servant by a gentleman named John de Vargas of Madrid, to till his land and do his husbandry work. The saint afterwards took a most virtuous woman to wife, named Mary Toribia. Those who call her de la Cabeza were deceived by a chapel to which that name is given, because her head is kept in it. After the birth of one child, which died young, the parents, by mutual consent, served God in perfect continency. St. Isidore continued always in the service of the same master. On account of his fidelity, he could say to him as Jacob did to Laban,1 that, to guard and improve his stock, he had often watched the nights, and had suffered the scorching heats of summer, and the cold of winter; and that the stock, which he found small, had been exceedingly increased in his hands. Don John de Vargas, after long experience of the treasure he possessed in this faithful ploughman, treated him as a brother, according to the advice of Ecclesiasticus,2 Let a wise servant be dear to thee as thy own soul. He allowed him the liberty of assisting daily at the public office of the church. On the other side, Isidore was careful by rising very early, to make his devotions no impediment to his business, nor any encroachment upon what he owed to his master. This being a duty of justice, it would have been a false devotion to have pretended to please God by a neglect of such an obligation; much less did the good servant indulge his compassionate charity to the poor, by relieving them otherwise than out of his own salary. The saint was sensible that in his fidelity, diligence, and assiduous labor consisted, in great part, the sanctification of his soul; and that his duty to his master was his duty to God. He also inspired his wife with the same confidence in God, the same love of the poor, and the same disengagement from the things of this world: he made her the faithful imitatrix of his virtues, and a partner in his good works. She died in 1175, and is honored in Spain among the saints. Her immemorial veneration was approved by pope Innocent XII. in 1697. See Benedict XIV., de Canoniz. 1. 2, c. 24, p. 246. St. Isidore being seized with the sickness of which he died, foretold his last hour, and prepared himself for it with redoubled fervor, and with the most tender devotion, patience, and cheerfulness. The piety with which he received the last sacraments drew tears from all that were present. Repeating inflamed acts of divine love, he expired on the 15th of May, 1170, being near sixty years of age. His death was glorified by miracles. After forty years, his body was removed out of the churchyard into the church of St. Andrew. It has been since placed in the bishop's chapel, and during these five hundred years remains entire and fresh, being honored by a succession of frequent miracles down to this time. The following, among others, is very well attested. Philip III., in his return from Lisbon, was taken so ill at Casarubios del Monte, that his life was despaired of by his physicians. Whereupon the shrine of St. Isidore was ordered to be carried in a solemn procession of the clergy, court, and people, from Madrid to the chamber of the sick king. The joint prayers of many prevailed. At the same time the shrine was taken out of the church, the fever left the king; and upon its being brought into his chamber, he was perfectly cured. The year following the body of the saint was put into a new rich shrine, which cost one thousand six hundred ducats of gold. St. Isidore had been beatified a little before by Paul V., in 1619, at the solicitation of the same king. His solemn canonization was performed, at the request of king Philip IV., on the 12th of March, 1622; though the bull was only made public by Benedict XIII. See the life of St. Isidore, written by John of Madrid, one hundred and forty years after his death; and Card. Lambertini, de Canoniz. SS. t. 3. Endnotes 1 Gen. xxxi. 40; xxx 30. 2 Eccles. vii. 28. (Taken from Vol. V of "The Lives or the Fathers, Martyrs and Other Principal Saints" by the Rev. Alban Butler, the 1864 edition published by D. & J. Sadlier, & Company) |
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According to the manuscript of Juan Diácono, the Brotherhood of San Isidro
dates back to the 13th century and was deeply rooted in the Holy Sacrament
to which the Saint belonged.
The oldest statutes that can still be seen in part today, date back to 1498.
In 1557 both Brotherhoods joined forces to form what is now known as the Brotherhood of the Holy Sacrament and San Isidro the Farm Labourer
They still have the Dispositions of 1555 and the Regulations of 1557 .
On June 12th 1751 Cardinal Infante Luis, Archbishop of Toledo, approved of the Constitution of the Congregation of laymen and laywomen born in Madrid dedicated to Saint Damas Papa, Saint Isidro the Farm Labourer Patron Saint of the Royal Town and other Saints born in the Town of Madrid. They were given the title of Royal, Illustrius and Early from the convent of San Hermenegildo, de Carmelitas descalzos(Barefoot Carmelite nuns).
Fernando VI adopted the role of perpetual Older Brother “for himself and for his Royal successors” by decree on August 12th 1751.
Later on the Congregation was in the Convento de la Santisima Trinidad Calzada.
In 1769 King Carlos III ordered Saint Isidro`s incorrupt body to be taken along with the relics of Saint Maria de la Cabeza to the Royal Church of San Isidro in Madrid which had previously been the Imperial Jesuit College.
In 1771 a Royal Decree of King Carlos III established a Royal Congregation in the Chapel of Our Lady of Good Advice which later moved to the Chapel of the Immaculada, in the Church mentioned above.
The Statutes in force today were approved of by his Most Eminence and Most Reverend Cardinal Antonio María Rouco Varela, Archbishop of Madrid, by decree on April 30th 1996.
The Holy See have granted many favours and indulgences. Pope Gregorio XV
granted pardon for one year and forty days to all truly contrite confessed faithful Christians who visit on the day of the festival (15th May) of the sepulcer of the Saint which contains his remains and those who visit on the eigth days of the festival are granted forty days of indulgences, this was confirmed by Benedicto XIII.
Benedict XV not only granted the Congregation of the Royal, Illustrius Early Congregation of Madrid born laymen and laywomen, plenary indulgences for the day they joined the Congregation, but other indulgences as well.
This Royal Congregation has served to unite people with one religious ideal from all walks of life over the century, believing in one religious ideal and receiving the warm glow from their faith and devotion.
Lord God, who made a Farm Labourer the Patron Saint of Noble Capital of Spain, grant us, with the intercession of the glorious Saint Isidro, who professed your Holy Faith and great love for the Virgin Mary, that we might, like him, practise christian virtues as were lived by him.
San Isidro and Santa María de la Cabeza
pray for us.
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Patron Saints of NCRLC St. Isidore and St. Maria Isidore and Maria led virtuous lives: commitment to family, love for the
land, service to the poor and a deep spirituality. This simple couple worked
their entire lives for a wealthy landowner in medieval Spain. St. Isidore
was known for his piety, special love of the downtrodden and a respectful
care for animals.
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Feast, 15 May
 Born
in Madrid, Spain, 1070; died there in 1130; canonized in 1622; feast day
formerly on May 10 and March 22, and October 25 in the U.S.A.
Saint Isidore's feast is celebrated in Madrid, Spain, with ringing church bells and streets decorated for a procession in his honor. The saint was born .into a peasant family. He was baptized Isidore in honor of the famous archbishop of Seville. His unreliable biography was written about 150 years after his death. Much of it deals with miracles associated with his name. Isidore was a day laborer, working on the farm of the wealthy John de Vergas at Torrelaguna just outside Madrid. He married a poor girl, Maria de la Cabeza. They had a son who died while still a baby. The couple took a vow of continence to serve God. Isidore's life is a model of simple Christian charity and faith. He prayed while at work, and he visited the many churches in Madrid and the area while on holidays. He shared what he had, even his meals, with the poor. He often gave them the more than he had for himself. He was steady and hard-working, but a complaint was made against him to his employer that he arrived late to work because he attended early morning Mass each day. When charged with his offense, he did not deny it and explained to his employer: "Sir, it may be true that I am later at my work than some of the other laborers, but I do my utmost to make up for the few minutes snatched for prayer; I pray you compare my work with theirs, and if you find I have defrauded you in the least, gladly will I make amends by paying you out of my private store." His employer said nothing, but remained suspicious, and, being determined to find out the truth, rose one morning at daybreak and concealed himself outside the church. In due course, Isidore appeared and entered the building, and afterwards, when the service was over, went to his work. Still following him, his employer saw him take the plough into a field, and was about to confront him when, in the pale, misty light of dawn, he saw, as he thought, a second plough drawn by white oxen moving up and down the furrows. Greatly astonished, he ran towards it, but even as he ran it disappeared and he saw only Isidore and his single-plow. In such simple tales we find reflected the spirit of Saint Isidore, who never ruled a diocese or was martyred for his faith, but who as truly served God in the fields and on the farm as those in higher places and who bore more famous names. When he spoke to Isidore and enquired about the second plough he had seen, Isidore replied in surprise: "Sir, I work alone and know of none save God to whom I look for strength." Thus the story grew that so great was his sanctity that the angels helped him even in his plowing. It was characteristic of Isidore's entire life. He was a simple plowman. His speech was clear and direct. His conduct was honest, and his faith pure and steadfast. He was a poor man, but gave away what he could, with a good and generous heart, and with such sympathy and good will that his gifts seemed doubly blessed. He could not neglect doing a kindness to man or beast. One snowy day, when going to the mill with corn to be ground which his wife had gleaned, he passed a flock of wood-pigeons scratching vainly for food on the hard surface of the frosty ground. Taking pity on the poor animals, he poured half of his sack of precious corn upon the ground for the birds, despite the mocking of witnesses. When he reached the mill, however, the bag was full, and the corn, when it was ground, produced double the expected amount of flour. His saintly wife survived Isidore for several years. Forty years after his death, his body was transferred to a shrine, and his cultus grew as a result of miracles attributed to his intercession. He is said to have appeared in a vision to King Alphonsus of Castile in 1211, and to have shown him an unknown path, which he used to surprise and defeat the Moors. His canonization occurred at the insistence of King Philip III, who attributed his recovery from a serious illness to Isidore's intercession. In art, Saint Isidore is portrayed as a peasant holding a sickle and a sheaf of corn. He might also be shown (1) with a sickle and staff, (2) as an angel plows for him, (3) giving a rosary to children by a well, mattock on his feet, water springing from the well, (4) striking water from dry earth with an angel plowing in the background, (5) before a cross, or (6) with an angel and white oxen near him. In Spanish art his emblems are a spade or a plough (Tabor). He is the patron of Madrid, Spain, farmers and farm laborers, and the U.S. National Catholic Rural Life Conference. Our Bishop, Raymond Burke, is Chariman of the National Catholic Rural Life Conference. The statue of Saint Isidore is one Father brought back on a visit to Madrid in the year 2000.
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