SAINTATHON 2014: Day 6 - Saint Isidore of Seville

Has Internet access: «bored, bored, bored...»

In our Internet age, so much of what we do on a daily basis involves Web access, from learning to leisure to social activity. It's fitting that the Internet have a patron Saint — perhaps you've seen him before. The bookish fellow in the Unpleasant Accents Facebook avatar, as well as in our sidebar, is also the patron of this blog: Saint Isidore.

A Bishop and scholar, Isidore led Seville (and as a result, Spain as a whole) through a period of cultural change. He found a way to integrate the barbarian Goths into civilized society, while resisting their anti-intellectual impulses. Isidore promoted the study of Greek and Hebrew in Seville, as well as the liberal arts, and was even an "early adopter" of the works of Aristotle. The Arian heresy of the Visigoths was defeated under Isidore's watch, and unity in the Christian Faith further helped the transition. As one of the chief "virtues" of our age is openness to many conflicting ideas, it's hard to imagine peace and unity stemming from the nationwide acceptance of one objective Truth.

Postmodern-Nihilist-Extraordinaire Moriarty doesn't buy it. 

How did I first discover Saint Isidore? Many moons ago, in my days of commuting to school, I'd listen to the Catholic Underground Podcast for news about technology, faith, and culture from the hosts, two newly ordained priests and a lay friend or two. Their excitement about the possibilities of the rising accessibility of technology led to the creation of a mousepad imprinted with The Surfer's Prayer and emblazoned with the image of Saint Isidore. I figured it would be a smart idea to make a habit of a "Ritual Before Browsing," though remembering it every time before "logging on" (haha, kids, that's what we used to do back in the 90's to get on the Internet) definitely is still a work in progress. There are certainly enough ways to get into trouble on the Web that reminding oneself of the old straight and narrow has gotta count for something.

Pictured: Trouble.

Prayer for the Intercession of Saint Isidore of Seville (a.k.a. "The Surfer's Prayer")

Almighty and eternal God,

who created us in Thine image

and bade us to seek after all

that is good, true and beautiful,

especially in the divine person of Thine

Only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,

grant, we beseech Thee

that, thorough the intercession of Saint Isidore,

Bishop and Doctor,

during our journeys through the Internet

we will direct our hands and eyes

only to that which is pleasing to Thee

and treat with charity and patience

all those souls whom we encounter,

Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Saint Stats:

Born: Circa 560

Died: April 4, 636

Beatified/Canonized: 1598 (Pre-Congregation)

Feast Day: April 4

Declared Doctor of the Church: 1722

Patronage: Computers and their programmers/users, the Internet, students, this blog