Bishop and Doctor of the Church (ca. 565-636)
His life
+ Isidore was educated by his brother, Saint Leander, and his brother, Fulgentius, and sister, Florentina, are also honored as saints
+ In his writings, Isidore was motivated by two goals: to stop the destruction of barbarian tribes in Spain and to combat the Arian heresy
+ Around the year 600, Isidore succeeded Saint Leander as bishop of Seville. Although he was an influential pastor and administrator, he is most especially remembered for his prolific writings
+ Saint Isidore died on April 4, 636, and was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1722
+ Saint Isidore is credited with creating the first encyclopedia and his writings went well beyond philosophy and theology, touching on every facet of life. The most influential author of his time, there are more surviving manuscript copies of his works than any other medieval writer. Although it isn’t an official title, there are many today who honor Saint Isidore as the patron saint of the internet.
For prayer and reflection
“All spiritual growth comes from reading and reflection. By reading we learn what we did not know; by reflection we retain what we have learned.
Reading the holy Scriptures confers two benefits. It trains the mind to understand them; it turns man’s attention from the follies of the world and leads him to the love of God.”—Saint Isidore of Seville
Spiritual bonus
On this day we also remember the Franciscan friars Nicolas of Montecorpino and François de la Terre de Labour who were martyred in Cairo, Egypt, around the year 1358.
Prayer
Graciously hear the prayers, O Lord,
which we make in commemoration of Saint Isidore,
that your Church may be aided by his intercession,
just as she has been instructed by his heavenly teaching.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(From The Roman Missal)
Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.
And today we celebrate...