St Isidore
Feast Day April 4

Patron of farmers, teachers, computer users, and the Internet.

How can a Saint who died in 630 be a patron for today's computer users?  We're told that when Saint Isidore wrote his "Etymologies" (a type of dictionary), its structure resembled today's database. His system of thought known today as "flashes",  is quite  modern, even though it was discovered in the sixth century.  The computer and the Internet are important tools used in the Marian Mantle Group to keep our members in (currently) 41 States and 8 foreign countries connected through the online prayer group and the MMG web site.  Through connecting electronically we learn that we share a common heartache and a common prayer.  Our connection allows us to join in prayer together for those prodigals we love, no matter where in the world we might live.

Who was Saint Isidore?

In Isidore's lifetime the Church in Spain went through much conflict and growth.  He began as a poor student, but after putting the problem in God's hands, he developed the reputation of an intellectual man.

Due to all his emphasis on education and learning, he was given the title "Schoolmaster of the Middle Ages." His writings included an encyclopedia which was used as a textbook for nine centuries, a Rule for religious orders, many books of historical significance. He built seminaries, founded schools, and promoted learning his entire life.  Eventually, he was names a Doctor of the Church by Pope Benedict XIV.

Prayer

Almighty and eternal God who has created us in Thine image and bade us to seek after all that is good, true and beautiful, especially in the divine person of Thy only-begotten Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, grant we beseech Thee that through the intercession of Saint Isidore, bishop and doctor, during our journeys through the internet we will direct our hands and eyes only to that which is pleasing to Thee and treat with charity and patience all those souls whom we encounter. Father we ask you this, through Christ our Lord. Am

Comment on St Isidore

Our society can well use Isidore's spirit of combining learning and holiness. Loving, understanding knowledge can heal and bring a broken people back together...people who are swamped by riches and overwhelmed by scientific and technological advances can lose much of their understanding love for one another.  ~Saint of the Day, Lives, Lessons and Feast, By Leonard Foley, O.F.M.; revised by Pat McCloskey, O.F.M.