by Mary Clifford Morrell

A number of years ago, during an audience with members of Italy’s National Federation of Farmers, Pope Francis stressed the important vocation of caring for the earth which provides for all of humanity.

He said, “Care of the earth, making alliance with it, in order that it may continue to be, as God wants, the source of life for the entire human family.

The Holy Father was speaking of the vocation of farmers, something we don’t often consider, referring to it as a true vocation which deserves to be recognized and valued.

He encouraged listeners to "rediscover love for the earth as 'mother' – as Saint Francis would say – from which we have taken and to which we are called to constantly return."

Many of the faithful, especially our youth, may not realize that we have, among our saints, a farmer.

The simple, hard-working life of St. Isidore, the farmer, is a life of important lessons for us as followers of Christ.

St. Isidore was born in Madrid, Spain, around 1070 A.D. into a devout family that prayed to and worshipped God and were concerned about the poor. As an adult, Isidore worked for a wealthy landowner, farming his fields and taking care of the land and the animals.

Isidore, who made time for Mass every day before beginning his work and adopted the practice of praying as he plowed, was known for this generosity and care for the poor, making sure they had enough to eat, even though he was poor himself. He also showed a great love and respect for the animals in his charge and for the soil that grows all things for life.

Legends say that Isidore’s coworkers complained he was often late for work because he made time for Mass first, but when the landowner went to check out the complaints, he found two angels plowing the fields until Isidore’s return from Mass, and he also noticed two angels often plowing alongside of Isidore so he often did double the work he was expected to do.

Stories of miracles followed Isidore throughout his life, and after his death, attributed to his devotion to prayer and the Eucharist. Among them was his ability to help the many beggars he brought home to his wife, who fed them from an unending pot of stew.

In addition to teaching us about the love and care for God’s creation, the dignity of manual labor and happiness that is possible with a simple life, St. Isidore shows us that sainthood is not reserved for the learned, or the religious, but is the achievable goal of every person no matter what their position in life. He died May 15, 1130, and declared a saint in 1622 with well-known saints Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, Teresa of Avila and Philip Neri. In Spain, the group is known as “the five saints.”

Children may have the idea that prayer is something we do in a certain way, at a certain time and with certain words. How can we teach students the lesson of “praying when we plow?”

Stress prayer is communicating with God, as a father and a friend. No special words or times are needed, and, in fact, saints teach us to talk with God while we are working, going to school, doing chores and playing.

Help children learn to talk about anything with God. Ask children what kind of things they would like to talk to God about. For example, if children are fearful of something, like going to bed in the dark, or struggling with something like jealousy of a sibling, or conflicted about something, like following a friend in making a bad decision, what would they say to God or ask God to do for them?

Set an example. Share your practices of praying, perhaps while you are creating lesson plans, cooking a meal or doing yard work. You may recite known prayers, or just chat about your day or your worries with God. It’s all prayer.

Remind them of Jesus’ words. “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” Matthew 19:14. Just like children go to their parents, or grandparents, or share things with their friends, Jesus invites children to come to him whenever they want to, to say hello, to ask for guidance, to ask for protection, or simply say thank you.

For teachers: St. Isidore is the patron saint of Catholic Rural Life. The prayer that follows is an excerpt from a 9-day novena to the saint which appears on their website:

O Lord, as You have made the earth,
To man and beast have given birth,
Have given sun and rain that thence
The soil might give them sustenance:

We beg You make us willing to
Perform the law we get from You
That work of ours and grace of Yours
May bring the increase that endures.

Through Jesus Christ let this be done,
Who lives and reigns, our Lord, Your son,
Whom with the Spirit we adore
One God with You forevermore.

 

About the Author
Mary Clifford Morrell, mother of six and grandmother to ten, is a Catholic journalist, editor, and author who has served the Dioceses of Metuchen and Trenton, New Jersey; Burlington, Vermont, and RENEW International in the areas of religious education and communication.