Isidore is another saint who comes from a family of saints. Born in the year 560 into a Catholic family, while Spain was still largely Arian. His older brother Leander is known as the evangelist to the Visigoths, and presided at the Council of Toledo when the Visigoths rejected Arianism once and for all.
Leander was a harsh school master, but Isidore learned everything put before him. In fact, Isidore was down right encyclopedic in his knowledge. He didn't just teach a classical curriculum, but also medicine, sciences, law, Hebrew and Greek. He also introduced the study of Aristotle long before the Arabs brought their knowledge into Spain. And many centuries before Thomas Aquinas found him.
I will end by saying that he wrote mountains of works, taught, wrote a rule for Spanish monks and nuns, and helped to form what is known as the Toledo Liturgy. Where he really shines is in his writing, so I shall let him speak for himself.
If a man wants to be always in God's company, he must pray regularly and read regularly. When we pray, we talk to God, when we read, God talks to us.
All spiritual growth comes from reading and reflection. By reading we learn what we did not know; by reflection we retain what we have learned.
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