SAINT ISIDORE

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Saint Isidore was born in Madrid in 1070 in a family of humble farmers. He soon began to work in the fields to face the economic difficulties.

Isidore was a very generous and pious person, he went to church every morning and during the day he often left the fields to pray. But this didn’t mean that he worked less, in fact his performance was as good as the other farmers’, and sometimes even better.

According to the religious tradition it is believed that, while Isidore was praying, the angels ploughed the fields for him.

Other interesting facts:

On the way from the mill to his little house he gave much of the wheat he harvested to the birds. However, thanks to the Providence of God the flour he milled was still much more than the grain he used.
One day, when he came back from work, his wife told him that their son had fallen into the well. With his heartfelt praying Isidore managed to raise the water level in the well and to save his son.

He died in 1130 and was canonised on May 25th, 1622 by Pope Gregory XV. The relics of Saint Isidore can be found in Madrid’s cathedral, he is also the patron of the city and his feast day is celebrated every year on May 15th.

THE CULT OF SAINT ISIDORE

In our territory the worship of Saint Isidore was brought by the Spanish invasions and it is so deeply rooted because of Valmadrera’s strong agricultural tradition.

The iron cross that you can see on ‘Sasso di Preguda’ marked one of the stops of the processions of penance which took place during the three Rogation Days. In those occasions people used to sing and pray to God and Saint Isidore to ask for a successful harvest.

THE CHURCH

The construction of the small church consecrated to Saint Isidore, leaning against ‘Sasso di Preguda’, began in 1895 to carry out Don Giuseppe Valera’s wishes.

The opening ceremony of the church took place on May 12th, 1899, Saint Isidore’s celebration day.

Inside the church you can see a part of the boulder which forms the apse, where Saint Isidore’s statue is.

Around 30-40 years ago the church was left abandoned but in the early 80s its renovation began with the approval of the parish priest. The project included the construction of a stone wall which now encloses a small kitchen and a space in which tourists and churchgoers can rest and take cover.

CELEBRATIONS AND TRADITIONS

Since 1954 the hikers of Pian Sciresa, the oratory of Malgrate and the “Alpini” have been organising the traditional excursions to ‘Sasso di Preguda’.

There are also two traditions:

CELEBRATION OF THANKSGIVING: it usually takes place in November. On Saturday we organise a hike to “Sasso di Preguda”, after that we drink ‘vin brulè’ (spiced warm wine) and hot beverages. On Sunday the parish priest celebrates mass and asks for the blessing of agricultural machinery.
FESTIVAL OF SAINT ISIDORO: held on the first Saturday after May 15th.