San Isidro Labrador de Ligtong - The Miraculous Patron of Ligtong, Rosario, Cavite

San Isidro de Ligtong

In the quiet yet productive locale of Ligtong, located a few kilometers from Rosario, Cavite, devotees and pilgrims of Cavite province would flock a parish in this location where the miraculous image of San Isidro Labrador of Ligtong.

The miraculous image of San Isidro is enshrined for centuries and became one of the most popular patrons of the province from jeepneys and lowland Cavites Mini bus bearing his image.

San Isidro de Ligtong, or Tata Idrong as he is fondly called by devotees became a guide and inspiration of the people of Ligtong on their everyday work that helped on the progress of the area.

The Image

The image of San Isidro de Ligtong is probably one of the most unique image of St. Isidore the Farmer in the Philippines. The depiction of San Isidro can be described as a folk reindition of the saint where the image looks straight to the beholder with it's hands open and beneath the image is the typical figures that are found in most of his images: an angel, an ox and the land owner in allusion to one the miraculous episodes of his life. The image is richly vested with some accessories from his necklace, his farming tool that he holds and it's halo that are made from precious materials.

The Life of San Isidro Labrador

San Isidro Labrador

San Isidro Labrador (St. Isidore the Farmer) was born Isidro de Merlo y Quintana, in Madrid, in about the year 1070, of poor but very devout parents, and was christened Isidore from the name of their patron, St. Isidore of Seville. Isidore spent his life as a hired hand in the service of the wealthy Madrilenian landowner Juan de Vargas on a farm in the city's vicinity.

When he was barely old enough to wield a hoe, Isidore entered the service of John de Vergas, a wealthy landowner from Madrid, and worked faithfully on his estate outside the city for  the rest of his life. He married a young woman as simple and upright as himself who also became a blessed—Beata Maria de la Cabeza. They had one son, who died as a child.

Isidore had deep religious instincts. He rose early in the morning to go to church and spent many a holiday devoutly visiting the churches of Madrid and surrounding areas. All day long, as he walked behind the plow, he communed with God. He was known for his love of the poor, and there are accounts of Isidore’s supplying them miraculously with food. He had a great concern for the proper treatment of animals.

The miracle of San Isidro Labrador

In the morning before going to work, Isidore would usually attend Mass at one of the churches in Madrid. One day, his fellow farm workers complained to their master that Isidore was always late for work in the morning. Upon investigation the master found Isidore at prayer while an angel was doing the ploughing for him.

On another occasion, his master saw an angel ploughing on either side of him, so that Isidore's work was equal to that of three of his fellow field workers. Isidore is also said to have brought back to life his master's deceased daughter, and to have caused a fountain of fresh water to burst from the dry earth to quench his master's thirst.

One snowy day, when going to the mill with wheat to be ground, he passed a flock of wood-pigeons scratching vainly for food on the hard surface of the frosty ground. Taking pity on the poor animals, he poured half of his sack of precious wheat upon the ground for the birds, despite the mocking of witnesses. When he reached the mill, however, the bag was full, and the corn, when it was ground, produced double the expected amount of flour. 

He died May 15, 1130, and was declared a saint in 1622, with Saints Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, Teresa of Avila, and Philip Neri. Together, the group is known in Spain as “the five saints.”

The origins

San Isidro de Ligtong

The image of San Isidro de Ligtong's origins of it's carving are unknown yet according to local story, during the Spanish era, the image was said to be found in the shores of Cavite on top of a "palapa ng niyog". The image was later enshrined in a chapel where the present parish is now standing, then part of Santo Rosario Parish of Rosario, Cavite.

The then chapel of San Isidro was one of the most frequented chapels in Rosario area due to the numerous miracles that were attributed to the miraculous image and the people of Ligtong would always look for a priest to offer masses in the chapel. It was on May 31, 1974 that Bishop +Felix Perez, DD formally established the Parish of San Isidro.

Miracles

Numerous miracles were attributed to the miraculous image over the course of centuries and it continues to be added to the annals of the parish which proves the miraculous character of it's patron.

It is said that there was an artesian well that was located near the vicinity of the chapel and it is believed to be miraculous for numerous cures were attributed to the well that it's waters were used in the everyday life of the people of Ligtong.

San Isidro de Ligtong

It is also known that San Isidro protects his chosen abode on several occsions from different enemy attacks. It is said that during the Spanish era, there were "tulisanes" who wanted to pillage Ligtong yet this was thwarted when there was a strange flood that blocks the way to Ligtong. During the Second World War, it is also said that the town and it's people were spared from the Japanese bombardment of Cavite through their prayers to San Isidro.

There was one time that there were infidels who so much hated in the Catholic faith that stole the original image to it's altar, placed in a sack and threw it in the river to the shock of many. A month and a few weeks later, a child found the image floating on the river as if the image never left Ligtong and everyone rejoiced to the finding of the image that was a victim of sacrilege.

The miraculous Patron of Ligtong is also attributed for the bountiful catch of fishermen whenever they will do go out for fishing and invoking the help of San Isidro. Numerous cures were also attributed to San Isidro de Ligtong over the years that several gifts were given to the patron from vestments, accessories among others, One of which cases was a cripple who was cured that offered a generous amount that would later be used to construct it's altar made of narra.

The devotion

Caracol in honor of San Isidro de Ligtong

The devotion to San Isidro de Ligtong grew and developed over the years as more miracles were duly recorded and perpetuated that pilgrims would flock his shrine, especially on his feast day, May 15 where the people and devotees would join the "Caracol" dance procession in honor of their miraculous intercessor.

Many implications can be found in a simple laborer achieving sainthood: Physical labor has dignity; sainthood does not stem from status; contemplation does not depend on learning; the simple life is conducive to holiness and happiness. Legends about angel helpers and mysterious oxen indicate that his work was not neglected and his duties did not go unfulfilled.

Perhapst the truth which emerges is this: If you have your spiritual self in order, your earthly commitments will fall into order also. “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides” (Matthew 6:33). May St. Isidore guide us in our everyday work and may help us realize that whatever that we do, we should still give a proper render and offering to our Lord who himself knew the value of work.

San Isidro de Ligtong, Ipanalangin mo kami!

References:

Ang Parokya ng San Isidro de Ligtong, San Isidro Labrador Parish, Ligtong, Rosario, Cavite, 2012.
Butler, Alban. The Lives or the Fathers, Martyrs and Other Principal Saints, Vol. V, D. & J. Sadlier, & Company, 1864.
Soriano, Ted, Tanglaw sa Nayon! Tanglaw sa Bayan!, San Isidro Labrador Parish, Ligtong, Rosario, Cavite, 1996.

Photos that were used for the blogpost are courtesy of San Isidro Labrador Parish of Ligtong, Cavite Facebook page.

Special thanks to Mr. Kirk Mikko Ledesma of San Isidro Parish, Ligtong, Rosario, Cavite for providing references on the history of San Isidro de Ligtong. +AM+DG+