You don’t have to move mountains to be a saint. You don’t have to write theological works, be a visionary, or found a religious order. You certainly don’t need any kind of worldly standing or lofty profession. The humblest life can be the pathway to great sanctity.
St. Isidore was a simple man who worked all his life as a farmer for a wealthy landowner, Juan de Vargas, near Madrid. His wife Maria is also a saint. Together they were hardworking, charitable people, and generous towards the poor. St. Isidore often brought home hungry workers to share his table lest anyone suffer want. It is said that once, Maria ran out of stew to feed them—but it miraculously replenished itself, enough for them all!
Jusepe Leonardo’s depiction of St. Isidore. Note the angels plowing in the background!
St. Isidore’s fellow workers noticed that he was sometimes late coming to the field because he would go to Mass first. When his boss looked out the window to see if this was true, he saw an angel plowing the field in Isidore’s place. Another story says that the landowner, wondering how St. Isidore got so much done in so short a time, saw angels plowing on either side of him.
St. Isidore died in 1130 and promptly gained the love of Spain’s monarchs and people—as well as a reputation for the miraculous. His body remains incorrupt to this day. They say he appeared to the King of Castile in 1211 and showed him a surprise way to attack the Moors against whom he was fighting. King Philip III was miraculously healed through his relics.
Invite St. Isidore and and his wife St. Maria into your work with our beautiful ceramic Sts. Isidore & Maria Tile. Designed and produced right here at the Catholic Company, this lovely piece features a vibrant, cheerful image of this saintly couple as they head out to their morning work. Fits any decor and will be a welcome daily reminder to offer all your work to God as they did. A perfect wedding or housewarming gift! Order yours today!
