AKA: Agriculture, Farm Workers
Farmers play a vital role in society by cultivating crops and raising livestock to produce food and other agricultural products driving economic growth. Their work is essential for ensuring food security, supporting economies, and maintaining rural communities. Farmers are at the forefront of food production, ensuring a stable supply of fresh and nutritious food for communities across our country. And agriculture is a significant economic sector in the United States, providing employment and supporting related industries like food processing and transportation.
Agricultural work can be vulnerable to market fluctuations, extreme weather events, and other risks. To ensure their well-being and productivity, farmers require support and guidance in various forms, ranging from financial assistance and technology access to favorable policies, education, and infrastructure development. Protecting and empowering farmers ultimately contribute to the well-being of our society.
Because the life of a farmer and the farm workers is so important and fraught with risks, uncertainties and hard work, they can always use the help of the saints finding spiritual comfort, support and a sense of purpose through their veneration in their daily life.
Who is the Patron Saint of Farmers
The first saint who comes to mind to many in the agricultural field is of course St. Isidore the Farmer. However, there are two more saints who are often called upon by farmers and farm workers. They are St. George and St. Benedict.
St. Isidore the Farmer was born around the year 1070 in Madrid, Spain. He lived during the period of Muslim rule in the Iberian Peninsula. Isidore was a simple and devout man known for his unwavering faith and commitment to prayer. He worked as a farm laborer on the estate of a wealthy landowner named Juan de Vargas.
Legend has it that Isidore's devotion to his faith was so strong that he often arrived late for work due to his morning prayers. Despite this, it is said that angels would sometimes plow the fields for him while he prayed, making up for his tardiness. Another story tells of a miraculous water source that sprung up to quench the thirst of Isidore's fellow workers and their animals during a drought.
St. Isidore's deep connection to the land, his devotion to prayer and work, and the tales of his miracles related to farming and agriculture made him a natural choice as the patron saint of farmers. Throughout the centuries, farmers and rural communities have turned to him for blessings, intercession, and protection for their crops, livestock, and agricultural activities.
St. George is perhaps best known for the legendary tale of his bravery in slaying a dragon, rescuing a princess, and saving her kingdom. While this tale is not historically accurate, it has contributed to his popular image as a courageous and valiant figure.
St. George's association with farming is not due to any direct connection to agricultural activities during his life. Instead, it is believed to have developed through a broader understanding of his role as a protector against various threats, including those that could affect farmers and their livelihoods.
As a symbol of bravery and protection, St. George came to be invoked by farmers seeking safeguarding against crop failures, pest infestations, and other challenges that could endanger their harvests. In this sense, he became associated with agricultural interests, as farmers saw in him a defender against the uncertainties and dangers that could impact their farming endeavors.
St. Benedict was an Italian monk who founded the Benedictine Order and is considered the father of Western monasticism. Born in Nursia, Italy and educated in Rome, he became disenchanted with the worldly lifestyle prevalent there and chose to live as a hermit in Subiaco, seeking a more ascetic and contemplative existence.
St. Benedict's patronage of farmers is primarily attributed to his emphasis on prayerful work and the cultivation of the land within his monastic rule. The Benedictine monks were renowned for their diligent agricultural practices, which were considered essential for the sustenance of the monastic community and the provision of hospitality to travelers, the poor and the rural community around them.
Click here for our list of Patron Saints.
Prayers for Farmers
Litany in Honor of St. Isidore the Farmer
Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
St. Isidore, pray for us.
St. Isidore, patron of farmers, pray for us.
St. Isidore, illustrious tiller of the soul, pray for us.
St. Isidore, model of laborers, pray for us.
St. Isidore, devoted to duty, pray for us.
St. Isidore, loaded down with the labors of the field, pray for us.
St. Isidore, model of filial piety, pray for us.
St. Isidore, support of family life, pray for us.
St. Isidore, confessor of the faith, pray for us.
St. Isidore, example of mortification, pray for us.
St. Isidore, assisted by angels, pray for us.
St. Isidore, possessor of the gift of miracles, pray for us.
St. Isidore, burning with lively faith, pray for us.
St. Isidore, zealous in prayer, pray for us.
St. Isidore, ardent lover of the Blessed Sacrament, pray for us.
St. Isidore, lover of God's earth, pray for us.
St. Isidore, lover of poverty, pray for us.
St. Isidore, lover of fellowmen, pray for us.
St. Isidore, most patient, pray for us.
St. Isidore, most humble, pray for us.
St. Isidore, most pure, pray for us.
St. Isidore, most just, pray for us.
St. Isidore, most obedient, pray for us.
St. Isidore, most faithful, pray for us.
St. Isidore, most grateful, pray for us.
Jesus, Our Lord: we beseech You, hear us.
That You would grant to protect all tillers of the soil: we beseech You, hear us.
That You would grant to bring to all a true knowledge of the stewardship of the land...
That You would grant to preserve and increase our fields and flocks...
That You would grant to give and preserve the fruits of the earth...
That You would grant to bless our fields...
That You would grant to preserve all rural pastors...
That You would grant peace and harmony in our homes...
That You would grant to lift up our hearts to You...
Be merciful, spare us, O Lord.
Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Lord.
From lightning and tempest: deliver us, O Lord.
From pestilence and floods...
From winds and drought...
From hail and storm...
From the scourge of insects...
From the spirit of selfishness...
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world: spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world: graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world: have mercy on us, O Lord.
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
Grant, O Lord, that through the intercession of Saint Isidore, the farmer, we may follow his example of patience and humility, and so walk faithfully in his footsteps so that, in the evening of life, we may be able to present to You an abundant harvest of good fruits, You who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
Prayer of the Christian Farmer
O God, Source and Giver of all things, Who manifests Your infinite majesty, power and goodness in the earth about us, we give You honor and glory.
For the sun and rain, for the manifold fruits of our fields, for the increase of our herds and flocks we thank You. For the enrichment of our souls with divine grace, we are grateful.
Supreme Lord of the harvest, graciously accept us and the fruits of our toil, in union with Christ Your Son, as atonement for our sins, for the growth of Your Church, for peace and charity in our homes, for salvation to all. Amen.
Blessing of All Who Work the Land
Creator God, you formed the human in your image to be partner with you. You have blessed us by calling us to work with the land and its creatures, providing nourishment and health for all.
Let your word now take root in our hearts and lives, to produce a rich harvest of justice for all creation. Let all who work with the land be blessed with dignity, their homes blessed with health, and their labor blessed with safety. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Related Patron Saint Jewelry and Rosaries
Buy some beautiful St. Isidore the Farmer, St. George or St. Benedict jewelry to keep you or your loved one close to the patron saint of farmers and be a symbol of your faith.