St. Isidore, the Farmer is the patron saint of two SCJ parishes: Kumalarang and Dumalinao. This year, due to the pandemic coronavirus and GCQ (General Community Quarantine), the celebration of the parish feast was very simple. The main part which is the Holy Eucharist was held online. In Kumalarang the Holy Mass was presided by Fr. John Karl Cabaluna, SCJ, the parish priest and in Dumalinao by Fr. Lukas Hadi Siswo Sasmito, SCJ, the regional superior of the Philippine Region, who for the last two months is stranded in Zamboanga del Sur. The motorized procession with the statue of the saint was held either before or after the Mass. Even it was a rainy fiesta, the parishioners enjoyed their meal and time together. Continue reading
Daily Archives: May 15, 2020
Feast of St. Isidore, the Farmer in the time of COVID-19
St. Isidore, the Farmer (1070-1130) is considered the patron saint of farmers and rural communities. He was born to very poor yet very pious Catholic parents in Madrid; as a young boy, he went to work on the estate of John de Vergas, a wealthy landowner from the nearby town of Torrelaguanna.
Isidore labored on Vergas’ farm for the rest of his life. He was a model worker, a simple and caring person, and a very devout Christian.
In the morning before going to work, Isidore would usually attend Mass at one of the churches in Madrid. One day, his fellow farm workers complained to their master that Isidore was always late for work in the morning. Upon investigation the master found Isidore at prayer while an angel was doing the ploughing for him. Continue reading
SCJ Philippines Region 