Patron Saint of the Internet
I guess the Internet needs some divine protection:
Saint Isidore of Seville
BARCELONA, JAN 14 (ZENIT).- Although computer experts are not known for expressing their spiritual preferences, the Observation Service for Internet (http:/www.ua-ambit.org/soi/soi.htm), an initiative inspired by the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, has carried out research in different realms of the world of computers and cyberspace to discover the saint who best reflects the concerns and ideals of the experts.
The patron chosen by the pioneers of the new frontier of technology is Saint Isidore, who was born in Seville, Spain in 556.
“The saint who wrote the well-known ‘Etymologies’ (a type of dictionary), gave his work a structure akin to that of the database. He began a system of thought known today as “flashes;” it is very modern, notwithstanding the fact it was discovered in the sixth century. Saint Isidore accomplished his work with great coherence: it is complete and its features are complementary in themselves.”
But this is not the only reason Saint Isidore is identified with computer experts. The Saint from Seville “was ahead of his time and constituted a cultural bridge between the Ancient and Medieval Ages. This also makes us feel close to him, as we are at the beginning of a new stage in history,” explained one of the experts interviewed by the Observation Service of Internet.
Saint Isidore was a key figure at the Council of Toledo, in 633. He was known for his concern for the proper formation of the clergy, for his generosity to the poor and for his humility: when he knew he was dying he asked publicly for forgiveness for the faults of his past life. He died a holy death on April 4, 636. This doctor of the Church had three siblings who were also saints: Saint Leandro, his predecessor in the Episcopal seat of Seville; Saint Fulgencio and Saint Florentina.
