"Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land."
(Mt. 5:5)

Isidore was born from poor but devout parents in 1170 AD near Madrid, Spain. Because of their extreme poverty, Isidore, at a young age was sent to work for a wealthy landowner of Madrid named Juan de Vargas.

Isidore married Maria Torribia with whom he had a child who died suddenly. From that time on they decided to live as brother and sister.

Isidore attended Mass every morning in one of the churches of Madrid. This caused him to be late for work many times. The landowner decided to see for himself what was happening. Juan de Vergas noticed that Isidore was late for work but was amazed to see that his plowing was done by unseen hands guiding snow white oxens across the field. On another occasion angels were seen plowing at either side of Isidore so that three times as much work was done.

God blessed Isidore charity with miracles. On a wintry day his fellow workers saw Isidore give a half a sack of grain to a flock of starving birds. When the men reached the mill, they discovered that the sack was full to capacity. On another occasion Isidore was invited to a confraternity dinner. He brought along a group of beggars. His host made Isidore aware that he could not possibly feed them all. Isidore replied that that there would be quite enough for Christ's poor. In fact there was more than enough because much food was left over.

Isidore died on May 15, 1130 AD in the presence of his wife. His body remained incorrupt and is now buried in the Cathedral of Madrid. "After his death, she lived as a hermit, performed miracles, and had visions." (Wikipedia Encyclopedia) The Church has also declared her blessed and she is venerated as Santa Maria de la Cabeza (St. Mary of the Head). She is referred to as the "head" because her head has been preseved as a relic.
(Reference: Joan Carroll Cruz, Secular Saints, Tan Books & pub., Inc,. Rockford, Ill., 1989, pp. 335-337)