Note: St. Isidore, patron saint of farmers, was himself a farm boy born in the city of Madrid, Spain, about the year 1110; His chief appeal is to those who, as he did, work the land. But his good qualities – his whole-hearted trust in God, his enthusiasm and vigor in doing his job, and his spirit of prayer and devotion to religious practice – these can profitably be admired and imitated by all laboring men, just as his wife Maria, can serve as a model for working men’s wives. His feast day is celebrated throughout the United States on May 15.

Good Saint, we are told that your devotion to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was so great that you would rise before it was light in order to be able to attend Mass before beginning your work in the fields. Obtain for us, we pray you, some of that loving devotion to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. There it is that the fruits of our farm labor, bread and wine, are brought and offered to God by the priest. Then, in the Consecration, Christ Himself, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity, becomes present on our altars under the appearances of this same bread and wine. And in what was the altar bread, He comes to us to be the very food of our souls. If we deeply realize the value and beauty of Holy Mass, we will be very happy to attend as often as we possibly can.

Help us to understand that in the Mass we offer ourselves to God with Christ by the hands of the priest. There we can bring to God all that we do, and offer it to Him in union with His Holy Sacrifice. The more often we do this now, the happier we shall be hereafter. Good Saint Isidore, bless us and our labors, that we may someday reap the reward of good works with you in heaven. Amen.

V. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
R.Who made heaven and earth.

Bracketed text to be recited only if led by a priest or deacon.
[V. The Lord be with you.]
[R. And with your spirit.]

Let us pray. Almighty, everlasting God, Father of goodness and consolation, in virtue of the bitter suffering of thy Sole-Begotten Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ, endured for us sinners on the wood of the Cross, bless these crosses which thy faithful will erect in their vineyards, fields, and gardens. Protect the land where they are placed from hail, tornado, storm, and every assault of the enemy, so that their fruits ripened to the harvest may be gathered to thy honor by those who place their hope in the holy Cross of thy Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ, Who liveth and reigneth with thee eternally. Amen.

Sprinkle the crosses with holy water.

V. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
R. Who made heaven and earth.

Bracketed text to be recited only if led by a priest or deacon.
[V.The Lord be with you.]
[R. And with your spirit.]

Let us pray. To Thee, O Lord, we cry and pray: Bless this sprouting seed, strengthen it in the gentle movement of soft winds, refresh it with the dew of heaven, and let it grow to full maturity for the good of body and soul. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Sprinkle the sprouting seed with holy water.

For a favorable weather during planting season, that the fruits of the earth may provide food enough for all people, and provide for the livelihoods of farmers and growers. Let us pray to the Lord.

For the rural areas of our Diocese, for farmers and their families, and for those who work in agriculture, that they be good stewards of the goods of the earth and themselves receive what they need for their spiritual and material wellbeing. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all farmers who are struggling to make ends meet, that they may be encouraged by the support of their neighbors, their parish, and all of God’s people. Let us pray to the Lord.

For a greater knowledge and love of rural life, that its values, traditions, and faith be nurtured in our communities. Let us pray to the Lord.

V./ Our help is in the name of the Lord.
R./ Who made heaven and earth.
V./ The Lord be with you.
R./ And with your spirit.

Let us pray.
We appeal to thy graciousness, O almighty God, that thou wouldst shower thy blessing + upon these first-fruits of creation, which thou hast nurtured with favorable weather, and mayest bring them to a fine harvest. Grant also to thy people a sense of constant gratitude for thy gifts, so that the hungry may find rich nourishment in the fruits of the earth, and the needy and the poor may praise thy wondrous name. Through Christ our Lord.
R./ Amen.
They are sprinkled with holy water.