April 4, Wednesday in Holy Week
ST. ISIDRO DE SEVILLA (Isidore of Seville), 560-636, Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church
Benedict XVI devoted his catechesis on 6/18/08 to the first of three Spaniards so far declared as a Doctor of the Church (the others are Teresa of Avila and Juan de la Cruz), who may be joined soon by a fourth, Juan de Avila, as announced by the Pope last WYD in Madrid.
www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2008/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20080618...
Born in Cartagena, southeast Spain, to a family that would include three other saints, he was educated (severely) by his elder brother, now Saint Leandro, whom he succeeded as bishop of Seville. It was a time of conflict and growth for the Church in Spain. The Visigoths had invaded the land a century and a half earlier and shortly before Isidore's birth they set up their own capital. They were Arians — Christians who said Christ was not God. Thus Spain was split into Roman Catholics Arian Goths. Isidore reunited Spain, making it a center of culture and learning, a teacher and guide for other European countries whose culture was also threatened by barbarian invaders. An amazingly learned man, who was also known for his austere piety, he was sometimes called "The Schoolmaster of the Middle Ages" because the encyclopedia he wrote was used as a textbook for nine centuries. He required seminaries to be built in every diocese, wrote a Rule for religious orders and founded schools that taught every branch of learning. Isidore wrote numerous books, including a dictionary, an encyclopedia, a history of Goths and a history of the world—beginning with creation! He completed the Mozarabic liturgy, which is still in use in Toledo, Spain. In the last six months of his life, he increased his charities so much that his house was crowded from morning till night with the poor of the countryside. Because of his vast knowledge and far-ranging influence, he has been suggested as patron saint of the Internet. As one of the major Spanish saints, he is among the Patrons for World Youth Day.
Readings for today's Mass:
usccb.org/bible/readings/040412.cfm
AT THE VATICAN TODAY
General Audience - The Holy Father reported on his recent apostolic visit to Mexico and Cuba, reminded
the faithful that the Paschal Triduum starts tomorrow with the Chrismal Mass of Maundy Thursday, and
took note that today is the World Day for Raising Public Awareness on Land Mines and their lethal and otherwise
harmful consequences for innocent persons.