Chapel of S. Isidoro

Sant'Isidoro was hired by the inhabitants of Villanova d'Asti to patronize the place.

There is a beautiful country chapel, dedicated precisely to its name.

This chapel is mentioned for the first time in the pastoral visit of Mons. Felizzano in 1743.

It is believed that the chapel of S. Isidoro was erected between 1700 and 1710. We believe it appropriate to add here some news on the life of S.Isidoro.

S. Isidoro was born of poor parents in 1100 in Madrid, the capital city of Spain. As a child he became acquainted with the Catholic religion, assiduously attending to the teachings of Christian doctrine.

These teachings were fruitful with seeds that produced in him fruits of living faith and fervent charity towards others. Born poor, indeed very poor, he agreed to put himself at the service as a country boy, with a rich landowner. And he was a conscientious, faithful, active servant, taking care of his master's interests in the best way.

Made adult, to accommodate the desire of his parents, he decided to marry to a young pious and sensible, named Maria Torribia. Uniformity of ideas and affections was never disturbed by dissensions and resentments.

But to disturb their sweet stillness came only a few years, a misfortune: the loss of their only child. Crying who formed their dearest hope, but then resigned themselves to Providence that he had so willing. Isidoro later took to cultivate the lands of such a Giovanni Vergas of Madrid, with an annual salary.

This occupation did not distract him from going constantly to Mass every morning in the nearby church. And the mate of her days, the good Mary, imitated the holy examples of her husband, to acquire, after death, the title of blessed and as such is honored in Spain. The Moncalvo (Guglielmo Caccia di Montabone born 1568 - dead 1625).

A famous piedmontese painter, he is particularly remembered for having painted the chapels of the sacred mountain of Crea, the dome of San Paolo in Novara and the stories in the Conventuals of Moncalvo.
From his youth, Isidore marked himself by a living devotion to the Blessed Virgin. His frugality gave him the means to save something he used to raise and feed many poor people. And God, being pleased with so much virtue, compensated him many times with open miracles.

One day, having invited many poor people to his table, he found that everything was consumed, and there remained no more than a small portion just enough for one; So what is Isidore doing? He blesses that little food and then full of trust in Divine Providence he distributes to those hungry, and all of them were full of it and nevertheless left a part of it.

Another time, nothing more remaining, here is another poor coming. There is nothing left to give you, said Isidore's good wife. But these to you: You lack confidence in Providence; search more minutely and you will find something. And miraculously to appear in every corner of the house a great abundance of food, and then it was a contest for all that day of the poor to that house to receive the alms, so prodigiously procured.

All his conduct appeared to be that of a just man, and everyone was aware of his esteem and admiration.
But he did not miss the envious denigrators, who related to his master, that Isidore lost time in churches, neglecting the work of the fields. Mr. Vergas believed, and one day he went to the camp where Isidore worked, to reproach him and threatened to dismiss him, if he did not stop his exaggerated practices of piety, to work his lands and not to stay in churches to pray.

But what was not his astonishment when, coming close to the field, he saw in it two plows pulled each by a pair of oxen and, brought to the place, disappeared from his eyes the plows and the oxen, and remained alone, in the middle of the field, Isidore who worked. Which is never what I saw, then says to his peasant; here there were two plows and two pairs of oxen; where they went? And what news is this, that I have seen them suddenly disappear? Do you know something about it?

I do not know anything else, replied the good peasant, except that at the beginning of my work, I always invoke the Lord's help and blessing, and I try to do everything for the greater glory of God.

He understood then that the master was dealing with a heavenly vision, and that the accusations were unjust to his farmer, and therefore gave him the right to use every day, in prayer, that time he believed.

Thus, he spent his life in work, in the exercise of charity, prayer and all sorts of good works, with his eyes turned to the sky, to which he sighed, as to the place of his rest.

And finally God wanted to grant his wish. Falling sick he asked the holy Sacraments, which he received with the most intense fervor, and shortly after he entered into agony and ceased to live on May 15, 1160, counting him then 60 years of age. Many were the miracles with which God wanted to honor his servant after his death.

He was canonized by Pope Gregory XV, ie declared saint in 1688, together with St. Francesco Saverio, St. Teresa of Jesus and St. Filippo Neri.

For more information: https://www.beweb.chiesacattolica.it/houses/house/63230/Villanova+d%27Asti+%28AT%29+%7C+Chiesa+di+Sant%27Isidoro