Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1896-07-09
MADRlD's PATRON SAINT.
Invoked Many Time Before to Break .
Drought

Isidro, or Isidoro, the saint whose
body, as told in the cable dispatches,
was taken from its resting place and
carried through the streets of Madrid
a few days ago, is the patron saint OF
that city, and the appeal to his inter-
cesson for rain is no new thing there.
IL was natural to add an appeal to him
to interfere for the suppression of the
Cuban insurrection. The sight is de-
scribcd us having been an impressive
enc, when 500 priests and thousands of
members of religious orders, each car.
rying lighted taper in the hand, ac-
companied the saints body as 1t was
taken through the principal streets of
that city.
Isidore was canonized for the devout-
ness of his life. He was born in Madrid
about lilo. His parents were poor Ia
borers whose piety had attracted the
attention of their neighbors, and who
reared their son to be devout member
of the church. He was named after the
patron saint of Seville. The poor mans
SON had little schooling, but he grew up
to be model of Christian virtue, ac-
cording to those who have written his
life. He was farm laborer, and his en-
ployer was pious nobleman named
Juan de Vargas. While exacting from
lsidore full portion of labor in re-
turn for his wages, De Vargas gave him
full opportunity to continue his life of
religious effort. tsidore, on the other
hand, looked upon his labor as n punish
ment for his sins, visited upon him
from Heaven. In order not to lose time,
he attended mass before the days work
began each morning. During the hours
he was at labor he found time to pray
at frequent intervals. Most of his time
was spent at the plow. The first mir
acle which is recorded concerning him
happened one day while he was thus en-.
gagged.
A jealous fellow servant told de Var
gas that lsdore was neglecting his du'
ties, and sleeping when he should bo
az work. De Vargas secreted himself
in a thicket which overlooked the. fields
where Isdore and many other servants
were at work. AS de Vargas watched
them he saw that the burrows cut by
1sidore's plow was deeper and straight
er than those cut by and other plowman.
Then he saw lsidore bow his head in
prayer. At that an angel appeared from
the sky and took the plow handles and
drove the horses to the end of the fur
row. This convinced de Vargas that
Isidore was faithful, and he afterward
admitted him to his full confidence.
The story of the angel who helped Isl
dore plow spread through the country,
and great was the fame of it.
Isidore married, it is recorded, a vir.
tuous woman, Mary Toribir, ana one
Child was born to them. 1t died in in
fancy, and after its death "they served
God in perfect CONTINGENCY Isidore's
wife died in 1l75. Her immemorial ven
GRAFTON was approved by Pope Inno-
cent XII. in 1897. Her head is preserved
in the Chapel de Ia Cabeza.
Isidore himself had died on May 15,
1170. His body was first buried in the
churchyard of st. Andrews church in
Madrid. In 1910 it was eXhumed and put
in the bishops chapel, where it now is.
According to Butler, it remained entire
and fresh, honored by succession Of
miracles down to the present day."
According to the same author one OF
the best authenticated of these mir
acles was the healing Of King Philip
H., whofell sick at Casambios del
Monte, while returning from Madrid.
I The kings sickness was so serious that
his physicians dcspaired of saving his
life. AS last resort, solemn process
sion" of ecclesiastical, civil and military
dignitaries took the shrine of Isidore
from Madrid and bore it to where the
king lay. AS the shrine was lifted from
lis resting place the kings fever left
him, and as the shrine was brought
nearer to him, he became better. When
it was placed beside his bed, Philip was
cured. The next year Isidore's body
was placed in q new shrine of cunning
design, which cost 1,G00 ducats. The
curing of the king added much to his
reputation.
Isidore was canonized on March 12,
1922, on the same day as Ignatius 10y.
ola, Philip Neri, Francis Xavier and
Theresa. The event was made one ol
great rejoicing in Madrid A poetical
tournament was held in the saints
honor and it is still celebrated in the
literary annals Of Spain. Lope de Vega
wrote two sacred dramas, or mystery
plays, about the saint for the day oi
the canonization.
These were performed in the public
square, in which large stage was
erected. Boxes were built around it fol
King Philip w. and his court. In tho
first play Isidore's mother appeared
and delivered the prayers that preced ed
childbirth. The play closed with fes
tival following the birth of the child
The second drama opened with the mar.
rage Of Isidore. a touching scene
showed them parting and resolving u
devote their lives to the service O
God. The climax of this play showed
four angels lowering above Isidore hnd
his wife. This was considered won
derful mechanical feat. In the drama
the story of the jealous servant was de
picted. AS it was arranged in the play
dc Vegas saw Isidore in the field kissing
the feet of Christ while the voices ot
angels were heard.
Many miracles have, according to ira
dition, been wrought by st. Isidore, and
at his shrine. He is always invoked tC
break prolonged drought, such as il
now affecting Spain, and he is especially
the patron saint of the farmers.-N. Y
Sun.
Where the Worms All Come From.
The Hawaiians have a curious belle.
concerning the origin Of worms. 'Ir
the beginning" there was but one worn
| and hp lived in a maintain cnvp Opo.