“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains.” -James 5:7
May 15th marks a feast day very special to those rural at heart- the feast of St. Isidore the farmer. A man who always put God first, seeking to honor him through devotion and work, St. Isidore reminds us that like the seeds we plant and the crops we grow, we must always patiently wait on the Lord, trusting in His Mercy and Goodness.
To plan for your homegrown observance of St. Isidore’s feast day, the following resources and activity suggestions may be helpful:
- Read a reflection on the life of the saint.
- Start the novena to St. Isidore on May 7, to finish on his feast day. (download a PDF here)
- Arrange a simple blessing of seeds in your parish. (download a PDF here)
- Arrange a blessing in your parish of those who work the land. (download a PDF here)
- Pray the Litany of St. Isidore: (download a PDF here)
Litany in honor of St. Isidore the Farmer, patron of farmers & workers
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
St. Isidore, pray for us.
St. Isidore, patron of farmers, pray for us.
St. Isidore, illustrious tiller of the soul, pray for us.
St. Isidore, model of laborers, pray for us.
St. Isidore, devoted to duty, pray for us.
St. Isidore, loaded down with the labors of the field, pray for us.
St. Isidore, model of filial piety, pray for us.
St. Isidore, support of family life, pray for us.
St. Isidore, confessor of the faith, pray for us.
St. Isidore, example of mortification, pray for us.
St. Isidore, assisted by angels, pray for us.
St. Isidore, possessor of the gift of miracles, pray for us.
St. Isidore, burning with lively faith, pray for us.
St. Isidore, zealous in prayer, pray for us.
St. Isidore, ardent lover of the Blessed Sacrament, pray for us.
St. Isidore, lover of God’s earth, pray for us.
St. Isidore, lover of poverty, pray for us.
St. Isidore, lover of fellowmen, pray for us.
St. Isidore, most patient, pray for us.
St. Isidore, most humble, pray for us.
St. Isidore, most pure, pray for us.
St. Isidore, most just, pray for us.
St. Isidore, most obedient, pray for us.
St. Isidore, most faithful, pray for us.
St. Isidore, most grateful, pray for us.
Jesus, Our Lord: we beseech You, hear us.
That You would vouchsafe to protect all tillers of the soil: we beseech You, hear us.
That You would vouchsafe to bring to all a true knowledge of the stewardship of the land…
That You would vouchsafe to preserve and increase our fields and flocks…
That You would vouchsafe to give and preserve the fruits of the earth…
That You would vouchsafe to bless our fields…
That You would vouchsafe to preserve all rural pastors…
That You would vouchsafe to grant peace and harmony in our homes…
That You would vouchsafe to lift up our hearts to You…
Be merciful, spare us, O Lord.
Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Lord.
From lightning and tempest: deliver us, O Lord.
From pestilence and floods…
From winds and drouth…
From hail and storm…
From the scourge of insects…
From the spirit of selfishness…
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world: spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world: graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
Let Us Pray:
Grant, O Lord, that through the intercession of Blessed Isidore, the husbandman, we may follow his example of patience and humility, and so walk faithfully in his footsteps that in the evening of life we may be able to present to You an abundant harvest of merit and good works, Who lives and reigns world without end. Amen.
