By National Corn Growers Association
The American Farm Bureau Federation called for a National Day of Prayer for Drought Victims this week to remember the many individuals and families facing severe struggles due to this year’s devastating drought. While the “official” day has passed (it was Thursday August 23), no reason to stop praying and lots of reasons to start if you have not already.
References to St. Isidore the Farmer have been popping up lately in social media, invoking the intercession of the Catholic patron saint of farmers to pray for rain. This is being circulated even among non-Catholics. Might be a little late to pray for rain, but not too late to pray for farmers and ranchers hurt by the lack of it.
According to CatholicCulture.org, St. Isidore was born in Madrid, Spain, about the year 1110. He came from a poor and humble family and worked as a farm hand from childhood. It is said that domestic beasts and birds showed their attachment to him because he was gentle and kind to them. His wife Maria is also considered a saint. In 1947, St. Isidore was officially named the special protector of the National Catholic Rural Life Conference and American farmers.
CatholicCulture.org also has a lovely Novena prayer to St. Isidore which has beautiful reflections about farming as a partnership with God. Here is a short passage:
The farmer’s is a sacred calling because he is a collaborator with God in the work of His creation. … The farmer’s calling is one that must command great respect. Much knowledge and skill are required to manage well the farmstead with its land and fences, barns and granaries, tools, and machinery. Farming is among the greatest of human arts. The farmer must be an artisan and a craftsman, a capitalist, financier, manager, worker; a producer and a seller. He must know soil and seed, poultry and cattle; he must know when to till the soil, cultivate his fields, and harvest his crops. In the presence of his Lord the farmer should recall all this, not in a spirit of vainglory or pride, but in grateful appreciation of the calling that God gave him as a tiller of the soil. Praise and thanksgiving should rise in his heart as he reflects on the high regard the Lord has showered upon him and his work.
Disclaimer: Articles featured on Oregon Report are the creation, responsibility and opinion of the authoring individual or organization which is featured at the top of every article.