Saint Isidore the Farmer, Patron Saint of Farmers and his celebration in Catalonia

Saint Isidore the Farmer is a venerated figure in many agricultural regions, especially in Catalonia, where he is considered the patron saint of farmers and peasants. His feast day is celebrated on May 15th, a date on which many communities organize festivals and pilgrimages in his honor.

Isidro was born around 1080 in Madrid, during a time of transition between Muslim rule and the Christian reconquest. He worked as a farmer for several noble families, becoming known for his religious devotion and kindness to the needy. His simple life, dedicated to working in the fields, made him an example for the farming community.

Saint Isidore is credited with several miracles related to agriculture and charity. One of the best-known is the miracle of the multiplication of food, in which he is said to have managed to feed many people with a small amount of food. Another tells of how, while he prayed, angels tilled the fields in his place. These accounts contributed to his beatification in 1619 and subsequent canonization in 1622 by Pope Gregory XV.

San Isidro is the patron saint of Madrid, where festivals in his honor are especially celebrated. In Catalonia, although he is not the main patron saint, many agricultural towns celebrate his feast day with religious services, fairs, and cultural activities that highlight the importance of agriculture and rural traditions.

The figure of Saint Isidore symbolizes the connection between faith and agricultural work, representing values such as humility, dedication, and solidarity. Celebrations in his honor serve to strengthen the identity of farming communities and preserve traditions linked to the land.