Chapter IV: Example of Saint Isidora

THIS holy virgin lived in the Convent of Tabenna, in Egypt. She was one of a community of four hundred sisters. Such was her love of humiliation and contempt that she courted every way and opportunity of abasing herself.

But, as her intention was entirely good, she took care that her follies should all be of an innocent character. She wrapped an old rag around her head, went barefoot, and instead of sitting down at the table like the others, she ate the crumbs which she collected with a sponge and the scrapings of the dishes.

All the time she worked at the hardest and lowest work, as if she had been the vilest slave, and no one ever saw her idle a moment.

Some of the sisters treated her harshly whenever they met her, thinking her to be insane, and others avoided her because they thought her possessed of the devil; but the humble Isidora never made the least complaint. On the contrary, the more ill-usage she got, the more she seemed to be pleased and satisfied.

She exercised herself in this way a long time, in what we may call the wise folly of the cross, until God, who exalts the humble, was pleased to manifest her heroic sanctity to a great servant of His, named Pytirion, who had lived many years in the exercise of constant prayer and good works.

An angel appeared to him in the desert where he lived, and told him not to think too highly of himself on account of his devotion and good works; that if he would go to the monastery of women at Tabenna, he would find there a person much superior to himself. This was a woman who, being an object of ridicule, and treated with contempt, never showed the least impatience, but kept her heart constantly united to God, serving her sisters with a wonderful exactness and sweetness, while he, although he never left the desert, allowed his imagination sometimes to run over the whole world.

This venerable old man then went to the monastery, where he was well known by reputation, and asked the superior to have all her religious called together, as he had a special reason for wishing to see them. His request was granted, and they all came with the exception of the very one we have been speaking about. Pytirion looked at them all attentively, but he did not discover the one he looked for. “Are all here?” said he. “Yes,” was the answer, “all of us.” “You must be mistaken,” said he, “for I do not see the one that God manifested to me.”

“Oh!” said they, “there is another, but she is only a poor crazy thing who works in the kitchen.” “Bring her here,” said Pytirion, “and let me speak with her.” But she seemed to have a foresight of what was to happen, and was so loath to come that they had almost to drag her along, saying that it was Pytirion that wished to speak with her.

As soon as she appeared, the saint saw in her the marks of holiness that the angel had pointed out, and, filled with respect, he fell on his knees and begged her blessing, calling her “Amma,” a name only applied to the spiritual mothers of the monastery. She, on her part, fell on her knees and humbly begged his blessing, thinking him superior to herself, and her master in goodness.

All the religious were filled with astonishment at such a sight. A venerable old man on his knees before one whom they considered a poor crazy creature; they could not believe their eyes. “Father!” they cried, “what makes you do so? Don’t you know she is only a fool?” “You are the fools,” said Pytirion. “She is better than you, and better than I. She is a true mother in holiness, and would to God that at the day of judgment I may appear as loaded with merit as she is.”

At this answer they saw how much they had been deceived, and were touched to the heart, and confessed humbly all the abuse and harsh treatment they had inflicted upon her. Pytirion prayed for them, had a long conversation with the humble Isidora, and went away.

Finding herself after this the object of great respect and veneration on the part of the good sisters, she began to feel uneasy. She knew that labor and contempt were much better for her soul, and made her dearer to God. She could not endure to be thought much of, so she soon left the place and went off where she was unknown, and where, no doubt, she lived the same kind of life of contempt and humility as before. Nothing more was ever heard of her, but God knows all her life and will make it manifest at the last day.