Whether you work for your daily bread on arable property of your own or you simply care for a handful of chickens and a postage-stamp garden, you know the anxious labor that goes into producing healthy stock and vibrant crops. Among the saints in heaven, a countless number have experienced the same and would be delighted if you brought them your prayers.
Here are a few farmer-saints who can assist you in your daily labors:
Bl. Franz Jägerstätter was an Austrian farmer in the turbulent years of pre-WWII. His faith was not foremost in his young adult years; it was only after his marriage in 1936 that he grew attentive to spiritual things. He attended Mass daily and became a sexton (a person who, among other things, helps with burials, guarding the church’s valuables, and ringing the bells), always refusing to accept the customary pecuniary offering which families gave the sexton.
With the outbreak of the war, he was called up for duty a few times. Finally, his conviction that it would be a sin to fight for the Nazis caused him to refuse the draft. His offer to engage in nonviolent work was rejected and he was charged with sedition. The priest who ministered to Franz before his execution was moved by the young man’s peaceful serenity.
St. Isidore, the official patron of farmers, is famous for having his plowing done by angels while he said his prayers. He is often invoked along with his wife, Bl. Maria de la Cabeza, noted for her humility, patience, devotion, and austerity. Isidore frequently brought home poor folk, offering them food from his own scanty table. One day, Isidore and Maria’s pot of stew miraculously multiplied in order to feed a greater number of guests. After their deaths in the 12th century, farmers in the area kept and spread devotion to this holy couple.
St. Maria Gorretti was a child-martyr whose widowed mother shared farming duties with their neighbors. Though she died before her twelfth year, the routine of caring for animals and working the fields was ingrained in Maria. Her deft handling of the manual labor illustrated early the interior strength that enabled her to gain the crown of martyrdom in 1902.
Our time is experiencing a return to agrarianism, especially among young Catholic families. The skills required to homestead are almost a lost art, but those with a head start are eager to share tips and advice. The Liturgy of the Land is an excellent resource for those interested in farming the land and the spiritual foundation for such a life. It offers a combination of the “whys” of Catholic homesteading with the “hows” gained from experience. Get your copy today from The Catholic Company!
