St. Isidore the Farmer

Who they were

Isidore spent his entire life as a hired hand on another man's land outside Madrid. No order founded, no book written, no office held. He rose early to pray and attend Mass, which got him reported to his employer for showing up late to the fields, and the legend every Spanish schoolchild knows says the employer went to catch him and found an angel plowing alongside him.

He and his wife Maria, venerated in Spain in her own right, lost their only child young, gave from wages that had no margin, and were known for feeding anyone hungrier than themselves, birds included. He was canonized in 1622 in the most extraordinary batch in history, alongside Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, Teresa of Avila, and Philip Neri: the day labourer among the founders.

Why people turn to St. Isidore the Farmer

Farmers first, at planting, at harvest, in drought, and against the price of feed. And every worker whose job has no title and whose faithfulness has no audience.

How to ask their intercession

At planting and at harvest, plainly. His feast on 15 May lands in planting season, which makes it a natural day to pray for the people who grow food.