The Church honors tradition, but she also stays up to date—looking at each product of human ingenuity with an open mind. For instance—the Internet. It may be a recent phenomenon, but now millions of Catholics come online to communicate and learn. In acknowledgement, the Church has proposed St. Isidore of Seville (556-636) as the patron of Internet users.

Why St. Isidore? Because of his love of learning and diligent work at compiling useful information. His story is an inspiration to anyone; you might wish to share it with own your little students and Internet users.

When he was a boy, Isidore ran away from home. He’d found his studies frustrating, and felt mistreated by his teacher. Along the road he felt weary and sat down to rest. He noticed water dripping slowly onto a nearby rock. Isidore intently studied the drops of water that fell onto the solid stone. He saw that over time, the water droplets had worn holes into its surface.

In a moment, Isidore understood that learning works the same way. He became convinced that, if he kept trying, he would eventually retain all that his teacher trying to convey to him. Isidore later summed up his youthful realization this way: "The man who is slow to grasp things but who really tries hard is rewarded; equally he who does not cultivate his God-given intellectual ability is condemned for despising his gifts and sinning by sloth."

Isidore grew from a discouraged, young student into one of the most knowledgeable men of his era—always persevering, even when his studies seemed slow and impossible. The saint went on to become a bishop, a famed historian, and, centuries later, a Doctor of the Church. He is credited with writing a vast, 20-volume encyclopedia called Etymologies, which is said to contain all that was known in 7^th century Europe. He also wrote Chronica Majora, which summarized history chronologically from the Creation to his own time. Isidore marshaled his learning to reassert the divinity of Jesus, at a time when many around him were denying it.

Isidore could serve as an excellent example for any child. He diligently developed his gifts, then used them in the service of furthering human knowledge and defending the Faith. Pray along with your children that he intercede to help each of us do the same.

St. Isodore of Seville
St. Ann’s Church.

St. Isidore was always generous—finally giving all he owned to the poor. Organize your children to collect useful garments or toys from family members, friends and relative, which you can present to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, a woman’s shelter, or some other charity, in honor of St. Isidore.

Teach your children to decode symbolism in art. In paintings, St. Isidore is often portrayed as a bishop holding a pen and a book, or surrounded by a swarm of bees. The book, pen, beehive, and swarm of bees are all conventional symbols in Western art for someone who is learned. Explain to your youngsters that artists often leave clues in their paintings to reveal more about the subject in the painting.

Print out the word find and help your young readers to look for words related to St. Isidore.