St. Isidore of Seville (560-636 AD)

Isidore was born into a noble family; his sister and two brothers are also saints . . 

Feast Day: April 4
Patron of students, computers, the Internet

Isidore was born into a noble Spanish family. His two brothers were both bishops and his sister was a nun. All became saints.

As a young boy he struggled academically under the tutelage of his older brother Leander, bishop of Seville. In despair Isidore ran away from school. While resting along the roadside he noticed how the persistent dripping of water from a spring had worn a hole in the rock. This inspired Isidore to return to school and apply himself with new-found fervor.

He proceeded to achieve tremendous academic success. When Leander died, Isidore became bishop of Seville. He was instrumental in converting Prince Recared, a leader in the Arian heresy.

Isidore helped unite the nation at a time when many had contempt for knowledge and learning. He presided over national synods and councils, which further eradicated heresies, and he strengthened the study of law, medicine and languages. Isidore played a prominent role in the Councils of Toledo and Seville. The legislation resulting from the councils exercised an important influence on the beginnings of representative government.

Isidore employed the same heroic perseverance demonstrated in mastering his academics in order to be an effective spiritual and intellectual leader in Spain. He strengthened the Catholic Church in his country, authoring numerous theological works, an encyclopedia, dictionary, religious books and history resources.

Isidore also established seminaries and religious houses of study. As a man of charity he served the poor with great passion, giving away many of his possessions. He was canonized in 1598 and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1722.

This column is produced for Legatus by the Dead Theologians Society, a Catholic apostolate for high school age teens and college age young adults. On the web: deadtheologianssociety.com