*** *** *** Born in Madrid, St. Isidore (1070–1130) was a farm laborer for most of his life, employed by a wealthy landowner in Spain. He is remembered for his piety, his love for the poor, and also how he cared for animals. In his humble life, St. Isidore was not a scholar, nor a religious. Yet, he is revered among the greatest of saints. In 1622, Pope Gregory XV canonized St. Isidore along with Francis Xavier, Ignatius of Loyola, Teresa of Avila, and Philip Neri.

~ “Lord God, to whom belongs all creation, and who call us to serve you by caring for the gifts that surround us, inspire us by the example of Saint Isidore to share our food with the hungry and to work for the salvation of all people. Through our Lord Jesus Christ.” ~ from the Proper of Saints, Daily Roman Missal