Saint Isidore (c. 560–636) was Archbishop of Seville in Spain for more than three decades and is honored as a Doctor of the Church. Born into a holy family — three of his siblings are also saints — he compiled the Etymologies, a vast encyclopedia that preserved much of classical learning for later generations, and guided important Church councils in Spain.
Isidore shows that love of learning and love of God belong together: he studied tirelessly, yet placed all his knowledge at the service of teaching the faith and caring for the poor. Near the end of his life he gave away his possessions to those in need, reminding us that wisdom is completed by charity.
Saint Isidore, lover of wisdom and friend of the poor, pray for us, that all we learn may draw us closer to God and to one another. Amen.