Saint ISADORE (San Ysidro de Labrador) ca. 1070-1130 A.D.
Feast Day May 15
Patron Saint of Farmers
The Patron Saint of Farmers, Isadore, felt the envy of his fellow workers, showing up late to work most days. The other workers reported his behavior and the owner followed the pious farmer one morning, only to find him drawn to the music of the local chapel, kneeling in prayer for hours at a time.
The jealous co-workers did not understand how Isadore could be both at the chapel and completing his work in the fields each day. Rumors of sightings of angels assisting Isadore in completing his tasks began to circulate.
Isadore and his wife Maria, also sainted, performed miracles in providing food to fellow farmers.
Known here in New Mexico as San Ysidro, he is a reflection of the historic Hispanic roots of New Mexico. The settlers who came with the missionaries and soldier Conquistadors from Spain through Mexico up the Camino Real were not people of means. They were, for the most part, hard-working dreamers. The symbol of piety, labor and kneeling in the earth is a symbol of a passion for faith, a humble work attitude, and a belief that if you work hard and embrace getting your hands in the soil, you will enjoy a bountiful harvest when the sun sets on your life.
In this time of reflection of what’s most important to us as instability, upheaval, isolation, and identity all shake and rattle around us, we turn toward the most intimate part of our homes and families for solace, finding a new value that maybe went unappreciated in the fast-paced web-world of 2019. People of all backgrounds are rediscovering humility and many have turned again to tending their own land to create a space that can provide nutrients for the body and soul.
As we welcome the spring rains, may this image invite abundance to your harvest and meaning to your labor! May you never labor alone and if you are without friends, may angels be ever by your side.
Please enjoy coloring the image in honor of Saint Isadore.
By Sean Wells
Contributing artist
