Saint Isidore the Laborer

Life story

Isidore was born in Madrid, with sources giving around 1070 or 1082, in a poor farming family; the year of his birth is uncertain. He died on 15 May 1130. Reliable information about his life is scant, and the fullest accounts were written centuries after his death.

According to tradition he worked as a hired hand for a landowner named Juan de Vargas near Madrid and was later made manager of the estate. He married María Toribia, known in Spain as María de la Cabeza. They are said to have had a son. People remembered him for his devotion, his early daily Mass and his help to the poor.

Many stories are attached to him; according to tradition angels ploughed for him while he prayed, he shared his wheat with hungry birds, and his wife's pot never ran empty when he brought hungry guests home. These are legends not confirmed by contemporary documents. He is also said to have helped King Alfonso VIII win the battle of Las Navas de Tolosa in 1212, a detail of later tradition.

He was beatified on 2 May 1619 under Paul V and canonised by Gregory XV on 12 March 1622. Madrid took him as the patron of the city.

Works and witness

• Worked as a hired farm worker near Madrid, later estate manager according to tradition
• Remembered for devotion and help to the poor
• Many legends tell of angels ploughing for him
• Beatified in 1619
• Canonised in 1622

Patron of

Farmers and farm workers, The city of Madrid

Saints from the same country

Saint Dominic, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Saint Teresa of Ávila, Saint Francis Xavier

References

• Martyrologium Romanum
• Bulls of beatification (1619) and canonisation (1622)

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.