Blessed Isidore of St. Joseph (1881-1916)

Born Isidore de Loor in Flanders, his educatuion ended when he was twelve, so he could help his family with the farm. At a mission given by the Redemptorist Fathers he discussed the matter of his vocation with a priest who advised him to join the Passionists. On April 15 1907 he set off for the Passionist monastery at Ere. French was spoken there and the Dutch-speaking Isidore found it very difficult to navigate his way to the monastery. Initially shy, Isidore quickly put himself to work and greatly impressed the superiors with his determination. He took the religious name Isidore of Saint Joseph. A year’s novitiate followed during which Isidore became an example to his fellow novices who were impressed by his charity and joyful disposition. 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. But the cancer had spread throughout his body, and Isidore was given only a few years left to live. He then served as porter of the monastery thereafter. As World 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. In late summer 1916 his health worsened and finally, having asked the permission of his superior to die, he died of cancer and pleurisy on October 6, 1916. He was only thirty-five years of age, and had lived as a religious for only nine years. He was beatified in 1984.
(From Wikipedia)