Saint Isidore of Seville

     My Grandma and Grandpa were wonderful. My mother had eight siblings. All together, five boys and four girls. They gave each of my Aunts and Uncles wonderful names. One of my Aunt's name is Isidore. We called her "Isie". All of my Aunts and Uncles were named after Saints. For the longest time, I always thought Saint Isidore was a girl, because that was my Aunt's name. But after I got quite older I found out that Saint Isidore was a man. But the Saint Isidore that my Aunt was named after, was probably Saint Isidore the Farmer. I had heard of Saint Isadore of Seville, but the title of farmer was more appropriate, since my mother and her siblings along with Grandma and Grandpa plowed those fields in Kansas. Nevertheless, I always think of her and say a special prayer for her when I hear the name Isidore.

     Our Saint of the day, Saint Isidore of Seville was an Archbishop, a Scholar, a Doctor of the Church. The other Saint Isidore, was a simple farmer, plowing those feels just like my Grandpa and Uncles used to do. 

     Saint Isidore of Seville studied Theology and wrote many articles on Doctrines of the Church, while Saint Isidore, the Farmer, used to get in trouble by his co-workers for always spending too much time in prayer. When the headmaster went to investigate, he came back reporting that he had seen Angels plowing the fields with white oxen on either side of the praying Isidore, ensuring the work was done on time. 

     Our Saint of the day, Saint Isidore of Seville, was born around c. 560 and died April 4th, 636. He served as Archbishop of Seville for more than 30 years. He promoted the Seminary and was literally born into a family of Saints. Two of his brothers, Leander and Fulgentius and one of his sisters, Florentina. His upbringing and harsh discipline by his brother Leander, although difficult to understand and many times impossible to accept, Isidore forgave him for the harsh treatment and delved into studying education and made it his life's work. Isidore even converted barbarians away from Arianism to Christianity.

      Two wonderful Saints with the same first name. Both honored for their special qualities. Say a prayer to each. But give Saint Isidore of Seville and extra one, because after all today is "his" day.