- Isidore of Saint Joseph
Infobox Saint
name=Blessed Isidore of St Joseph
birth_date=April 13 ,1881
death_date=October 6 ,1916
feast_day=October 6
venerated_in=Roman Catholic Church
birth_place=Vrasene,Belgium
death_place=Kortrijk,Belgium
titles=Religious
beatified_date=1984,Rome ,Italy byPope John Paul II
major shrine=Kortrijk,Belgium
attributes=Passionist Habit and SignBlessed Isidore of Saint Joseph, also known as ‘the Brother of the Will of God’ born Isidore de Loor, a lay brother of the
Passionist Congregation, born on April 13, 1881 in Vrasene,Belgium ; died October 6, 1916 atKortrijk , Belgium. Beatified byPope John Paul II in 1984.Life
Isidore de Loor, was born on April 13, 1881, in the small town of Vrasene, located in the diocese of Gent-Gand, in Eastern
Flanders . His parents, Aloysius and Camilla had been married for two years when Isidore was born and they were a deeplyChristian couple. Isidore’s education came to an end when he was aged 12 and from then on he joined his father in working on the family’s farm. ["Isidore of St. Joseph: Brother of the Passionist Congregation", page 8. The Passionist Fathers, Wezembeck-Oppen - Belgium, 1960] He grew up to be a devout and hard-working young man and often thought of following avocation to thereligious life . At a mission given by theRedemptorist Fathers he discussed the matter of his vocation with a priest who advised him to join thePassionists . On April 15 1907 he set off for the Passionist monastery at Ere (which had been founded by BlessedDominic Barberi ). Here theFrench language was spoken and theFlemish -speaking Isidore found it very difficult to navigate his way to the monastery. ["Isidore of St. Joseph: Brother of the Passionist Congregation", page 12. The Passionist Fathers, Wezembeck-Oppen - Belgium, 1960] Initially shy, Isidore quickly put himself to work and greatly impressed the superiors with his determination. On the feast of the Birthday of theVirgin Mary he was vested as a Passionistlay brother and received the religious name Isidore ofSaint Joseph . A year’snovitiate followed during which Isidore became an example to his fellow novices who were impressed by his charity and joyful disposition. On September 13, 1908 he professed his vows as a Passionist. [ [http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/sainti0l.htm Patron Saints Index: Isidore of Saint Joseph] ]After his profession Brother Isidore was transferred to the Passionist monastery of Kortrijk where he was employed as gardener and cook. Despite suffering with a painful tumour in his eye Isidore was reluctant to complain about it,
cancer was diagnosed and his right eye was removed. ["Isidore of St. Joseph: Brother of the Passionist Congregation", page 31. The Passionist Fathers, Wezembeck-Oppen - Belgium, 1960] The cancer had spread throughout his body however and Isidore was given only a few years left to live. He then served as porter of the monastery thereafter. AsWorld War I took its toll on Belgium more and more visitors prevailed upon the monastery for help, help Brother Isidore was only too willing to offer. ["Isidore of St. Joseph: Brother of the Passionist Congregation", page 33. The Passionist Fathers, Wezembeck-Oppen - Belgium, 1960] In late summer 1916 his health worsened and finally, having asked the permission of his superior to die, he died of cancer andpleurisy on October 6, 1916. He was only thirty-five years of age, and had lived as a religious for only nine years. [ [http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/sainti0l.htm Patron Saints Index: Isidore of Saint Joseph] ]Beatification
Pope John Paul II declared him blessed on September 30, 1984.External links
* [http://www.passionisten.be/default.asp?t=1&id=1 The web site of the Passionists in Belgium]
* [http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/sainti0l.htm Patron Saints Index: Isidore of Saint Joseph]
* [http://www.passionist.org/gpih/chapter_eighteen.html The Story of the Passionists in Belgium and Brother Isidore]References
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