Introduction: This story was written for the Maryknoll program, DISCOVER YOUR NEIGHBOR, for the September/October 2019 issue called CARE FOR CREATION: AIR HAS NO BORDERS; this story is published for grades K-5. www.discoveryourneighbor.org

The story is based on the article Caring for All Creatures, Maryknoll Sisters and Panamanians work to preserve Darien rainforest, written by Maria-Pia Negro Chin; published in Maryknoll magazine, September/October 2019 issue.

 

STORY: Only a few trees grew near Edwin’s house. There were no longer many birds and insects. The garden soil was poor. The air was bad, the water polluted. Papa said it had once been a lush rainforest until workers cut down thousands of trees. “The land changed when the trees were gone,” he said.

But today, Edwin and his little sister Iris were going to a rainforest! They went to the Pastoral Center where their mother worked at the greenhouse.

Now Edwin, Iris and Sister Joji stood under towering trees. Looking up, Edwin saw a flash of bright blue with black. “What kind of bird is that?” he wondered.

“See its legs? It’s a red-legged honeycreeper,” said Sister Joji.

Iris shouted, “I hear a woodpecker!”

Suddenly there came a roaring sound so deafening and scary that both children moved closer to Sister Joji. She explained, “That’s a howler monkey. It is one of the loudest animals on earth!”

“Where is it?” Edwin asked, looking around.

“High in a tree, probably a mile away from us.”

While the monkey howled, they noticed a colorful grasshopper with big red eyes. Sister Joji pointed out other creatures. “They are all gifts—the insects, the birds, the animals, the trees and plants—even the soil,” said Sister Joji.

Iris frowned. “Who from?”
“God,” Edwin said. “God made everything! Even us.”

They stood together. God’s love was all around them. Then Iris said,” I wish we had this at our house.”

“Papa said our house was near the rainforest but people cut down the trees,” Edwin asked.

Sister Joji said, “I saw the machines chopping, chopping, chopping. I heard the great trees crashing down. Day after day, I counted the log trucks, about 15 each day. They carried off our beautiful trees.” Edwin imagined the sound of the trees falling.

“That changed everything,” she said. “Twenty different kinds of orchids can grow on just one tree! Now they have nowhere to grow. What can the howler monkeys eat? And how can the grasshoppers and honeycreepers live? Many animals left or died.”

“But some are right here, now,” Iris said hopefully.

“Mama said it was you, Sister Melinda and others who planted these trees so the plants and animals could come back,” Edwin said.

Sister Joji nodded. “We have made a small rain forest again.”

Iris spread out her arms, shouting, “Thank you, God, who made all this! Thank you for people who bring back the trees and animals! Amen!”

Edwin said, “I am going to plant trees! I will learn how to take care of our earth! Then I will teach others. And they will teach others too!”

Now Sister Joji prayed, “Thank you, God our Creator, for all creation! And thank you for children like Edwin and Iris who will care for it!”

“Amen!” Iris shouted
Edwin smiled, once again looking up into the treetops.

“Mama said it was you, Sister Melinda and others who planted these trees so the plants and animals could come back,” Edwin said.

Sister Joji nodded. “We have made a small rain forest again.”

Iris spread out her arms, shouting, “Thank you, God, who made all this! Thank you for people who bring back the trees and animals! Amen!”

Edwin said, “I am going to plant trees! I will learn how to take care of our earth! Then I will teach others. And they will teach others too!”

Now Sister Joji prayed, “Thank you, God our Creator, for all creation! And thank you for children like Edwin and Iris who will care for it!”

“Amen!” Iris shouted.

Edwin smiled, once again looking up into the treetops.

 

In my childhood mornings I noticed the sun rising over the nearby river. Often my busy mother pointed out the beauty of the sunrise on the water.

I vaguely understood that the river was polluted. Our little town’s paper mill was the cause. Some days the mill smelled badly. But it supplied my school with scrap paper. And my grandfathers, father, and uncles worked there. The mill was part of my life.

So was the abundance of nature surrounding us. Our neighbor, Jean, called me to come to see a wild plant growing in a shady corner of her yard. She said it was a “jack-in-the-pulpit,” pointing out who Jack was on the plant and why it appeared he was in a pulpit. I loved that. Then Jean ran her fingers over some nearby moss and I copied her. It was so soft! More than fifty years later, I still look for moss in a shady area.

When I grew up, I wanted to nurture that love of nature in my children. Issues of environmental damage and hints at global warming were prevalent as we collected leaves for crayon rubbings to make a book for grandpa’s birthday. We planted a sunflower, predicting it would become as tall as our 6’2” friend and marveled when it towered over him. While camping near Lake Superior, my then 8-year-old son stood on large rocks, laughing and challenging the chilling waves to catch him. I sensed that he would some day challenge injustices. I was right.

And now? Even in my fears in the 1990’s, I couldn’t have imagined what we would be facing.

But face it we must. Now I trudge outside in the snow with grandchildren to put out extra food for birds and squirrels after a blizzard, pondering how best to help this generation rise to the challenge of climate degradation.

It is imperative our children learn to use the phrase “creation care.” The words environment, earth or nature are fine, but to say “creation” implies a Creator. And that is where we must start.

Adding “care” implies we are involved.

There are two sides to creation care: dealing with the damage and reveling in the joy.

DEALING WITH DAMAGE:

Adult must inform children about environmental issues without scaring them:

While taking your recycling container out for pick-up, say there is a big problem with garbage all around the world. Recycling is good, but we must also look for ways to reduce the amount of garbage our family creates. Let’s make that a goal.

Children should learn the importance of making choices that will not cause more damage:

Challenge each other to pack lunches with the least amount  of one-use plastic as possible. Talk about why that is significant.

Announce that as plastic water bottles will take at least 450 years to decompose, you will no longer buy them.

You can make creation care second nature to the very youngest:

Have your two-year old put cans into the recycling bin and say, “You are helping take care of God’s wonderful creation. You are doing important work!”

Broach new topics with elementary aged-children:

Together watch videos about deforestation and replanting trees.

Find programs through nature centers where older children can help plant trees or remove invasive species. Talk with them about those experiences.

REVELING IN THE JOY:

Every day, nurture awe for God’s Creation. People who love it will protect it.

In his book, The Nature Principle, Richard Louv writes about people that train themselves to become so conscious of the natural world that they essentially can “read” nature.

With kids, look for trees where leaves are moving, then listen for the rustling sound of those leaves’ movement; compare leaf shapes, and feel bark. Who made these wonders?

Count the ways you see water: puddles, lakes, ice cubes, drinking fountains. All water is a gift from God!

Point out weeds poking up through cracks in pavement. What incredible strength that took! What a phenomenal urge to grow!

Together listen to the rain on the roof of a porch and say a little thanksgiving prayer for that rain.

There would be no creation without the Creator. Always mention the Creator.

Last– and first—don’t underestimate the power of prayer. Pray for God’s Creation daily.

We know Mary, the Mother of God, through songs, prayers, traditions, and scripture. In all those ways, we encounter her as the mystical Mary and the historical Mary.

I went to Mass recently on the feast of the Assumption. This day has some of the most incredible readings of the whole liturgical year! I was struck by how they reflect both of the mystical and historical Mary.

From the Book of Revelations (11:19, 12:1-6), we see the mystical Mary in some of the most incredibly picturesque words in scripture:

Then the sanctuary of God in heaven opened, and the Ark of the Covenant could be seen inside it. Then came flashes of lightning, peals of thunder and an earthquake and violent hail.

 Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman, robed with the sun, standing on the moon, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.

She was pregnant, and in labor, crying aloud in the pangs of childbirth.

Then a second sign appeared in the sky: there was a huge red dragon with seven heads and ten horns, and each of the seven heads crowned with a coronet.

 Its tail swept a third of the stars from the sky and hurled them to the ground, and the dragon stopped in front of the woman as she was at the point of giving birth, so that it could eat the child as soon as it was born.

The woman was delivered of a boy, the son who was to rule all the nations with an iron sceptre, and the child was taken straight up to God and to his throne,

while the woman escaped into the desert, where God had prepared a place for her to be looked after for twelve hundred and sixty days.

 That reading just begs for your imagination to explore it. Do you hear the peals of thunder? Are you holding your hand above your eyes, shielding them from the violent hail as you struggle to see the sanctuary of God?

If you were to paint an image of these words, how would you illustrate a woman robed with the sun? What colors would you choose? How could you possibly paint such brilliance?

What does it feel to have the moon beneath your feet? And a crown of stars? To wear the stars upon your head! The idea is enough to take one’s breath away.

Stars and moon speak to us of mystery. Small children and other great artists often paint them, sometimes to be brilliant, other times to be quiet, ethereal beauty. What kind of stars does the woman wear? And why twelve?

If you have labored to give birth, you may wonder how the woman can be standing, unaided. But this is no hospital birth, but a holy one, one we are to take into our hearts forever. It does not make less of human birth, but elevates our birthing experiences to Godliness.

But then, all changes, as life so often does. The terror! A dragon! Paint it red, a raging, powerful red. Once again the numbers: why seven and why ten?

And if this wasn’t enough, along with that fear, there is despair. It is because of that tail, sweeping a third of the stars from the sky, hurling them towards earth! What happened to those stars? Did they shatter? Did they become the reflection of the sun and moon on the ocean? Did they cause grief or awe? And what a loss for the heavens, one-third of the stars no longer there….

And who is this dragon? Does it represent all evil for all time? Does it represent Herod, who wanted to destroy the Holy Child, and who did destroy many other holy children? Does the dragon represent evil for another time, for our time? Who is that dragon right now? What is that dragon right now? And how will we protect our children from it?

There is so much in this reading! After all the thunder and flashes of lightning, the woman who gives us both phenomenal beauty and agony at the same time, and the horror of that strong-trailed dragon—all of a sudden, the words become quiet, the hail ceases, the thunder fades away, and we sigh with relief that the child is safe and so is the woman. She is going to that place, prepared just for her by God….

And before we can grapple with that scripture, the Gospel is read. The mystical woman crowned with stars becomes a young, impoverished girl. A girl who fetches water from a well, kneads bread and feeds animals. And also a girl who has said yes to God in a time and place where her yes could very likely end her life.

She has committed to something no one else has ever considered. But she is an earthly being so now what must she do?

Mary set out at that time and went as quickly as she could into the hill country to a town in Judah.

She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth.

There are no stars to wear now, no moon to stand on. She likely put one foot in front of the other on dusty earth. She climbed hills, and avoided sheep or rocks. Was she hot or cold? Was she thirsty? Had she brought food along?

She walked by herself. Did she go to Elizabeth to talk of miracles? Did she go because she was afraid of what others would think of her as her body grew to accommodate God’s Child? And who in the world would ever believe that one? Did she worry about Joseph? Had she told any friends?

Did she stop to rest? Did she encounter others along the way who wondered where this unaccompanied girl was going—and, whisper, do you think she is pregnant?

She stands up and once again and heads towards Elizabeth. Does she wonder who this Child will be? Does she have any inkling that one day, someone would write about thunder and stars and dragons and God’s place for her?

 

 

 

Introduction: This true story is based on an article in Maryknoll magazine, “It Takes a Village,” by Margaret Gaughan, October 2015. It is about Maryknoll Father Shaun Crumb, who was ordained in 2015. This story, which I wrote for children in grades 4-6, looks at his childhood which included being called by God to become a missioner. Father Crumb is currently a missioner in China.

 Story: On God’s Team

Shaun loved to fish. He fished with his sisters, brother and dad. He lived on a lake, a resort where many people came to fish. Each day, whoever caught the first fish got a dollar. Sometimes it bothered Shaun when he did not catch the first one. His dad said, “Don’t feel badly. We’re on the same team. That’s what’s important.”

Shaun was on God’s team too. Before each meal, his family thanked God for their food. Before sleeping, they thanked God for the day and prayed for people in their family and those who were poor. There were special times of prayer too. On road trips, they said the rosary together. In the weeks before Christmas, they gathered around their Advent wreath, lit the candles and prayed. Shaun knew Jesus was his friend. Anytime he needed to talk, Jesus would listen.

Of course there were times when Shaun was with God when he wasn’t thinking about God. He and his friend Nick built forts in the woods. They used sticks, branches and logs and played hide and seek there. One fort Shaun especially liked to go to, just to feel the quiet. Sitting on a log for a chair, it seemed to Shaun like a room of his own. Shaun was enjoying all the good things God has given us through His Creation.

Shaun’s childhood was rich and full. He and his siblings helped their parents run the fishing resort they owned. Shaun learned early how to serve others who came for vacation, which he enjoyed. Shaun and his sibling had many friends to play with, as well as kittens and gerbils. Besides fishing, he swam, boated and skied on the lake. As a scout he liked doing service projects with his troop. He and his brother laughed and challenged each other in basketball. Later in high school, Shaun played football and baseball too.

Shaun became an altar server. Though he had gone to Mass ever since he was a baby, he was nervous the first day. Would he remember what he was supposed to do? But he quickly learned. He assisted the priest and also those distributing communion. He soon liked being near the altar, helping. He also enjoyed the music.

As Shaun grew, so did his way of being on God’s team. Some summers, he shared the fun of his childhood as a camp counselor at a Catholic kids’ camp. He led singing and taught games. In college his teachers were Benedictine monks. Shaun and other students would join them in prayer. Shaun also went on short mission trips. There he learned about the differences and similarities amongst people, but also the how some people are treated badly which caused them to live in poverty.

After college, Shaun decided to try living and working in another place. Through a Maryknoll program he went to China where he taught English.

God was calling Shaun to stay with the team in new ways.

 

St. Martha

Feast Day: July 29

Life dates: First Century

Introduction: When Scripture introduces us to Jesus’ friends, Martha and Mary, we learn he had friendships outside of the twelve apostles. In this well-known story, it is easier to identity with Martha than with Mary. In fact it can have us feeling sorry for Martha and wishing Mary would get up and help! But with this brief domestic scene, Jesus gives us invaluable advice: listening to him is the most important thing we can do.

The message is the same for the children. It is never too early to feel Jesus’ friendship, nor to understand that he is God.

Story: Martha was getting dinner ready. She and her sister, Mary, and their brother, Lazarus, lived in a house in Bethany. They were good friends of Jesus. He was visiting them now, and Martha had welcomed him. As Martha cooked, her sister sat by Jesus, listening to him.

After a while, Martha got tired of doing all the work. “Lord,” she said. “Don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work?”

Jesus said, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. Mary has chosen what is really important.”

We don’t know how Martha felt then or if Mary washed the dishes later. But later we see that Martha understood that Jesus is God. She must have been listening and watching sometimes!

It was a very sad event that brought Jesus to their house another time. Lazarus, their brother, had become very sick and died.

Many of their friends came to the sisters, to cry with them, and help them. When Martha heard that Jesus was on his way, she slipped out of the house to meet him.

“Lord,” she said. “If you had been here, Lazarus would not have died. But even now, I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you. I believe you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

A little while later, Martha stood with her sister and their many friends by the tomb of Lazarus. He had died four days before. Jesus called, Lazarus, come out!” And the man who had been dead came alive and came out of the tomb!

All those with Martha and Mary saw this and were amazed. Now they too would believe that Jesus is God. But Martha already knew.

For ideas on how to celebrate Martha and other saints, see https://anneneuberger.com/product/a-circle-of-saints-stories-and-activities-for-children/

“The poor and the sick are the heart of God. By serving them we serve Jesus the Christ.”

                                                                                                                   -St. Camillus De Lellis

 

St. Camillus de Lellis, Life dates: 1550-1614

Introduction: After a youth of fighting and gambling, Camillus spent his adult life in service to the sick. His work marked a turning point in how medical care was provided. He is now the patron saint of the sick, nurses and hospitals. He founded an order of men dedicated to the caring of the sick, and chose for them to wear a red cross on the front of their cassocks. This may be the beginning of the very familiar symbol of the Red Cross organization. (See www.camillians.org)

 Children can identify with a person who gets angry and even hits someone. Most can also identify with what it means to receive loving care when sick. Camillus offers them an example of someone who developed self-control, and learned compassion.

Story: FROM NASTY TO NICE

Camillus was a nasty guy. He’d get angry, hit someone and there would be a big fight. . When he played card games for money and lost, he got mad too.

He was a soldier. When his leg was hurt, he went to a hospital. This would change his life.

It was a terrible place, with dirt and germs everywhere. The air was vile, the food revolting. Some workers didn’t care about the sick people, and were even cruel.

Even nasty Camillus felt badly for the other sick people. Dragging his leg, he hobbled from bed to bed. He wiped feverish foreheads with a cool, wet cloth. He brought drinks of water. He talked gently, comforting and cheering people.

Still, he was so nasty to the people who worked there, they told him to leave! He soon lost all his money again by playing cards, so he looked for a job. As mean as Camillus was, some priests who needed a builder hired him. They soon saw that inside that nasty person was a very good one. Through them, Camillus learned that God loved him—bad temper, bad leg and all! God loved him!

Knowing this, he started a new life. Camillus went back to the hospital to show others this love. He treated the sick people with love and respect—he treated each as if he or she was Christ himself.

Just this made a difference to the patients. He also cleaned floors, washed blankets, opened windows and made sure the food was good as well as healthy. The hospital became a loving place where people could heal.

Others wanted to join him. He agreed and trained them. He started eight more hospitals! So many men joined, Camillus founded fifteen places for them to live. They all worked, treating each person as a precious child of God.

 

Celebrate Camillus with children:

St. Camillus made certain hospital patients had healthy food. Discuss with children different healthy choices for a snack. Together decide on something that is feasible.

Tell children they can prepare for the feast as St. Camillus worked to help others.

They might enjoy wiping the table, washing plastic cups or dishes, hanging wet cleaning cloths up to dry, etc. Give them a tablecloth, napkins, etc. and have some children can set the table themselves, and others can help prepare the food.

In addition, children can make cards with markers and stickers to cheer up someone who is sick. Use the cards to decorate the table. Later have children see that you are sending them to a children’s hospital.

Prayer:

Dear Saint Camillus,

You were a child of God and so were the people you helped in the hospital.

We are also children of God. Please pray with us for children of God who are sick in hospitals now. Amen.

 

FOR MORE ON SAINTS AND CELEBRATIONS, SEE A CIRCLE OF SAINTS

https://anneneuberger.com/product/a-circle-of-saints-stories-and-activities-for-children/

 

 

 

 

(Introduction)

While there are numerous stories of saints who were friends and co-workers, there are very few about saints who were siblings, a relationship many children would better understand. The famous St. Benedict had an equally saintly sister, Scholastica, who may have been his twin. Raised in central Italy in a distinguished family, they both rejected lives of luxury to become monastic.

 Unlike her brother, the facts of Scholastica’s adult life are few. However, one story remains that shows children that siblings can share a common spirituality. (Even as it demonstrates that even a saint may know how to trick a sibling!)

 (Story)

Scholastica waited for her twin’s visit. She remembered sharing her childhood with Benedict. When they grew up, Scholastica became a nun and Benedict a monk. Both worked hard each day because they were the heads of their monasteries and because they were doing work God wanted them to do.

But once a year they met. They talked, ate and prayed together. Once a year they could be sister and brother again, like when they were little. Yet often, they talked about loving God.

Scholastica saw Benedict coming down the road. She smiled, for she had so much to tell him! Benedict looked old now, she noted. Well, she did too. They were old! Scholastica had a feeling she would die soon. This might be the last time on earth that they talked together.

It was a good evening. Benedict was happy, though he also wondered if they would have another visit next year.

They talked and laughed. They ate and prayed. Then they talked some more.

It got late. Benedict stood up to go.

“Don’t go! Stay longer!” Scholastica pleaded.

“I can’t. You know that! I am the one that made the rule for monks about staying overnight! I can’t break my own rule!” Benedict said.

Brother and sister looked at each other. Then Scholastica bowed her head and prayed. Benedict waited to say goodbye, but she continued to pray.

And then he heard thunder. More thunder. Lightning streaked the sky. The wind picked up, and rain pelted down. It was much too bad a storm for Benedict to leave now.

He knew what his twin had prayed. “What have you done?” Benedict asked. “May God forgive you!”

Scholastica looked at her brother and said, “I asked a favor of you and you said no. I asked the favor of God. He was willing to listen to me.”

So Benedict sat back down.

—

For other stories like this see A CIRCLE OF SAINTS at https://anneneuberger.com/product/a-circle-of-saints-stories-and-activities-for-children/

 

 

The feast of the birth of John the Baptist is June 24^th. This saint can catch children’s imaginations! If he arrived today, it is likely that he would throw open the door, carrying a Ziplock bag filled with grasshoppers and a sticky jar filled with honey. What kind of beginnings did this important, quirky and challenging man have?

Here is a very easy way to find out:

In Honor of St. John the Baptist: A Simple Play for Children and AdultsOf all the feasts in the Christian year, there are only three celebrations of births: Jesus, Mary, and John the Baptist, each filled with the Holy Spirit before birth. To learn about St. John, put on a play. Acting may have a greater impact on the audience than listening to a story, so both actors and audience benefit. This play is so uncomplicated it can be done on the spur of a moment. Adults and children can participate with little preparation; in fact, even very little children can participate. No actor speaks but should be encouraged to mime.

Parts:

• Narrator: tells the entire story
• Zechariah
• Gabriel
• Elizabeth
• Mary
• Crowd: at least four people
• A doll

Story: Based on Luke 1:5-25; 39-45; 57-80.

Scene 1: Zechariah, Gabriel, the Crowd

Narrator: Zechariah and Elizabeth were good people, but they were sad because they had no children. Some people were praying at the temple. Zechariah was praying there too, in another room. Suddenly, the great angel Gabriel was with him! Gabriel said, “Zechariah, you and Elizabeth are going to have a baby boy! Name him John. God says John will grow up to be a very holy man!”

Zechariah was shocked—first an angel, now this news! He wouldn’t believe it. “Well now,” said Gabriel gently, “you won’t be able to talk until John is born.” Gabriel went away. Zechariah tried to tell the people what happened, but he had no voice!

Scene 2: Elizabeth and Mary

Narrator: Gabriel was right: Elizabeth was going to have a baby. She and the silent Zechariah were very happy. Mary, Elizabeth’s cousin, came to visit. Mary was expecting Baby Jesus. “Mary!” cried Elizabeth. “My baby is so happy you’ve come! Both babies are gifts from God!” They hugged and visited.

Scene 3: Elizabeth, doll, Zechariah, the Crowd

When John was born, friends came over. “What’s the baby’s name?” they asked. Zechariah wrote down, “John.” Right away, Zechariah could talk! And he talked and talked, thanking God for John and all God’s blessings.

Conclude the play by reciting the Hail Mary together and then sing a rousing round of “Happy Birthday” to John the Baptist.

 

(Introduction)  Saint Philip Neri (1515-1595) lived in Rome at a time of corruption and disillusionment. After studying philosophy and theology, he created a career that was very unusual at the time: a lay person actively engaged in prayer and teaching others about his faith. Because of his upbeat, outgoing personality, Philip delighted everyone, from beggars to cardinals. He had an uncanny way of pointing out to others their faults and weaknesses with kindness and humor. He founded and led small Christian communities, where people encountered what has been called his “audacious spirituality.” Later he was ordained a priest, continuing this work. He was known for being an excellent speaker. His feast day is May 26. This story for children will help them appreciate that God gives us the gifts of humor and cheerfulness.

(A story for children) A Seriously Silly Saint

Saint Philip Neri walked down the street. People stopped and stared at him. And then they began to laugh and laugh. For Philip had a beard, but that day he had shaved off half of it! Can you picture a person with a half of a beard? Would you laugh too?  

Who was this silly person? Philip lived a long time ago in Rome. His two favorite books were the Bible and a joke book. Philip prayed often, and he was often silly too. He did God’s work both ways! 

At that time in Rome, many people were not thinking much about God’s love. They did not try to do God’s work in the world. Philip used his gifts of silliness and of explaining things well to help others understand more about God. 

He would go to stores, or walk down the street. There, friendly Philip would quickly meet people. Sometimes he wore great big floppy shoes, so of course they noticed him. They loved to talk and laugh with him.

Philip planned picnics. All his guests played games and ate, and soon Philip had them talking together about God. Sometimes he asked them to come with him to a church to pray. Sometimes they went with him to a hospital to help people who were sick. 

More and more people joined Philip’s friends. At times, a large group of people walked down the street with Philip, laughing, learning and loving God. 

These friends had meetings in Philip’s small apartment. They sang music one friend wrote and others gave homilies. They prayed and talked. Often Philip said Mass. And sometimes he said Mass with a chipmunk on his shoulder!

Philip really loved God. He was so close to God that sometimes when he prayed, his face would shine!

People said, “How holy Philip is!” Philip didn’t want them to think of him as better than others. So he would do silly things so they’ pay attention to that instead. And that is why one day he was seen walking down the street with only a half of a beard! Other times, he put on disguises that were so funny, people knew it was him and laughed happily.

The people of Rome changed because of Philip! He joyfully brought them back to God. 

 

May 15th is the feast of Isidore the Farmer. Saint Isidore was born in 1070, to a poor family in Madrid, Spain. When he was barely big enough to carry a hoe, he began working for a wealthy landowner named Juan de Vergas. Isidore would work that land all his life. Isidore married Maria Torribia, who is now known as Saint Maria de la Cabeza. They had one son, who died as a child.

Isidore and Maria did not have much in life, and it would seem they had little to hope for. Yet they found meaning in their hard lives by loving God and caring for others. Isidore prayed all day as he plowed. He often visited churches in Madrid on his day off, and he and Maria shared what little they had with others.

Here are three stories that show how Isidore lived as Jesus taught, and how others came to see him as a saint.

 

Story #1: More Than Enough

Isidore walked down a road towards his church. There was going to be a dinner there, and he was looking forward to it.

From a field alongside the road came a ragged-looking man. “Please, sir,” said this man. “Do you have some food?”

Isidore smiled. He was used to hungry people coming to him. He usually gave them what he had, but as he had nothing today, he said, “My friend, come with me to the church dinner. There will be plenty to eat there!”

The two walked further down the road and did not notice a woman and three children huddled near a large tree until one of the children cried out, “We are hungry!”

“Come along!” Isidore invited, scooping up the youngest child.

As they walked along, more and more hungry people joined them and Isidore invited each one to the church dinner. So it was quite a crowd that arrived at the church that evening, with Isidore in the lead.

One of the women serving the dinner exclaimed, “Isidore! Do you expect us to feed all these people? We don’t have nearly enough food!”

Isidore gave little smile and a shrug. “These people are Christ’s poor. He will provide for them,” he said confidently.

She sighed, shook her head, and began handing out food. All those who had come before Isidore got their food. All those who came with Isidore got their food. But the serving bowls never seemed to empty! The woman looked up from the serving table and surveyed the happy crowd. No one was hungry now. Isidore was talking happily with many of them.

Again she shook her head, this time in amazement. “This reminds me of the bible story of the loaves and fishes,” she marveled, and dished up her own dinner.

 

Story #2: And the Birds, too, of course

 It was a cold winter day when Isidore walked down the road, hunched over because he carried a large sack of grain on his back. He was on his way to the mill to have the grain ground into flour for his master’s family.

From the trees up ahead came the sound of many bids. Isidore loved animals. He and Maria always treated them tenderly. Today, his heart went out to these little ones who sounded so very hungry on this cold day.

Isidore stopped and let the bag slip from his back. He poured half of the grain onto the ground. Immediately the crowd of birds flitted down to feast. Intent on watching the birds, Isidore did not hear the approach of some other workers, also on their way to the mill.

“Wasting your master’s good grain on some silly birds, eh, Isidore?” one teased.

“I wonder what he’ll say when he finds out what that bag weighed at the mill!” the other said uneasily.

“The birds are God’s creatures too,” Isidore said mildly. “Enjoy your feast, little ones!” Then he slung the half-empty sack onto his back and set off towards the mill.

The three men walked together. One of them was amused at the trouble Isidore would soon be in, one was worried about that and the third, the gentle Isidore, was calm and happy.

When the bags were weighed, Isidore’s bag was as full as it was when he had left the farm that morning!

His companions did not speak, but looked at each other with wonder.

 

 Story #3: What Juan de Vergas Saw

 The sun was streaking the eastern sky as Juan de Vergas walked towards his fields, a worried frown on his face. As the owner of a great deal of land, he had many people working for him, and Isidore and Maria were among his favorites. He felt they were somehow a blessing to his own family. When some other workers came to him, complaining that Isidore arrived late to the fields each morning, Juan was troubled. He did not want to find out that Isidore was not as good a man as Juan believed.

When he reached the fields, Juan saw his other workers hitching oxen up to their plows. Isidore was nowhere to be seen. Juan hopefully scanned the other fields and even the roads, but he did not see Isidore anywhere. He waited.

As the sun rose higher, Isidore came walking down the road, on his way back from church. He did not see his master, and immediately went to work behind his oxen.

Isidore worked steadily, praying as he went along, row after row. Juan could see that Isidore loved working the earth. He would stop to examine a clump of plants, touching them gently, patting the warm soil around them. Still, Juan had to admit that Isidore had been late. Unhappily, he was about to call to Isidore when he saw two other men now working alongside Isidore.

Confused, Juan looked around. Where had they come from? Who were they? Isidore seemed unaware of them. And they each drove pure white oxen!

“Isidore!” Juan called. ”Who are these other men helping you?”

Isidore looked up, noticing his master for the first time. Then he looked around him, seeing nothing. “What men, sir? I do not ask for anyone’s help but God’s.”

Isidore stood looking at Juan with his open, honest face. Then Juan suddenly realized the other men were gone, as mysteriously as they had come. But half the field was plowed now.

Juan’s heart pounded. Isidore’s helpers were angels!

“Did you want something, sir?” Isidore asked.

“Oh, I….” mumbled Juan, still stunned. Then happily, he added, “I just wanted to say may God be with you, Isidore.”

Isidore smiled broadly, and went back to his plow.