Saint Ivo of Kermartin
Also known as
- Advocate of the Poor
- Ivo Helory
- Ivo Herloi
- Ivo of Brittany
- Ivo of Helory
- Ives…
- Yves…
- Yvo…
Profile
Born to a wealthy Breton noble family. From age 14 he studied civil and canon lawyer, philosophy, and theology in Paris and Orleans. Franciscan tertiary. Lawyer who practised in both civil and ecclesiastical courts, often defending the poor without charge, and ministering to them in prison while they awaited trial. Practised great personal ascetism, with frequent fasts, and wearing a hair shirt under his clothing. Fought the state over taxes and the rights of the Church. Incorruptible diocesan judge, refusing the bribes that were the order of the day, and working to settle claims out of court in order to save the litigants time and money. Ordained in 1284. He resigned his legal position in 1287 to tend to his parishioners at Tredez and Lovannec. Noted preacher and arbitor, he built a hospital from his own funds, tended the poor in it, and gave away the harvests from his land to feed them. Miracle worker, feeding hundreds from a single loaf of bread.
Born
- 17 October 1253 at Kermartin near Treguier, Brittany
- June 1347 by Pope Clement VI
- abandoned people
- advocates
- attorneys
- bailiffs
- barristers
- canon lawyers
- canonists
- court clerks
- judges
- jurists
- lawyers
- notaries
- orphans
- poor people
- –
- in England
- in France
- lawyer enthroned between rich and poor litigants
- lawyer holding a book, with an angel near his head and a lion at his feet
- lawyer surrounded by suppliants, holding a parchment and pointing upwards
- lawyer surrounded by symbols of the Holy Spirit such as doves
Readings
Sanctus Ivo erat Brito,
Advocatus, et non latro
Res miranda populo.Saint Yvo was a Breton and a lawyer,
But not dishonest –
An astonishing thing in people’s eyes.– from a 14th century description of Saint Ivo
MLA Citation
- “Saint Ivo of Kermartin“. CatholicSaints.Info. 23 February 2024. Web. 3 May 2024. <>