Saint Isidore of Seville might have lived over 1,400 years ago, but his life and legacy are anything but boring!
From being a scholar to earning the unofficial title of the patron saint of the internet, here are some fun and fascinating facts about this remarkable saint that will inspire students, tech lovers, and history buffs alike.
1) Saint Isidore’s Etymologiae: The Original "Wikipedia"
Saint Isidore wrote an encyclopedia called the Etymologiae, which one could say was like the "Wikipedia" of the Middle Ages.
This massive work included knowledge of everything from grammar and medicine to animals and geography. It was a history book that started with creation itself!
Saint Isidore wanted people to understand their place in God’s plan. This famous book was used as a beloved textbook for nearly 1,000 years.
2) Saint Isidore of Seville is the unofficial patron saint of the internet.
Saint Isidore is the unofficial patron saint of the internet and computer users. Why? Because he wanted to make knowledge accessible to everyone, just like the internet does today. And, like the internet, he tried to gather the sum total of knowledge in his day.
3) Saint Isidore came from a family of saints.
Isidore wasn’t the only saint in his family. His brothers Leander and Fulgentius and his sister Florentina were also saints. Talk about a holy family!
4) He made punctuation the standard.
Ever wonder who came up with commas, periods, and colons? Saint Isidore helped standardize these punctuation marks, making reading and writing much easier for future generations.
5) Dripping water inspired him.
As a child, Isidore struggled with studying until he saw water dripping onto a rock and eventually wearing it down. This taught him persistence pays off, inspiring him to become arguably the greatest intellect of his time.
6) Saint Isidore's nickname is "Schoolmaster of the Middle Ages."
Saint Isidore earned this nickname because he promoted education for everyone—rich or poor—and required seminaries to teach a wide range of subjects such as science, theology, and medicine.
7) Saint Isidore united Spain.
During his time as Bishop of Seville, Isidore helped unite Spain’s divided Christian communities by working to convert the Visigoths from the Arian heresy that denied the divinity of Christ.
8) He had a generous heart.
In his final months, Isidore gave away everything he owned to the poor. His home was filled daily with people seeking help—a true example of living out the Gospel.
9) The Catholic Church celebrates Saint Isidore's feast day in April.
Saint Isidore died in 636 and was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1722. His feast day is celebrated on April 4 every year—a great time to honor his contributions to faith and learning.
Saint Isidore’s life teaches us that knowledge is powerful when shared with others—and that even saints from centuries ago can be surprisingly important role models to all of us today!