Saint Ivo of Kermartin

Life story

Ivo was born on 17 October 1253 at the manor of Kermartin, near Tréguier in the Duchy of Brittany. From 1267 he studied civil law at the University of Paris, and from 1277 canon law at Orléans.

In 1280 he became the official, an ecclesiastical judge, for the archdeaconry of Rennes, and from 1284 he served as official for the bishop of Tréguier. He was ordained a priest at about this time, and in 1285 he became parish priest of Tredrez, and around 1293 of Louannec. He was known as the advocate of the poor.

According to tradition he joined the Franciscan Third Order, probably at Guingamp, but this rests on tradition rather than firm records. Some stories about his court cases are retellings of uncertain origin and cannot be treated as established history.

He died on 19 May 1303 at Louannec, aged 49, and was buried at Minihy-Tréguier. His skull is kept as a relic at Tréguier. Pope Clement VI canonized him in 1347.

Works and witness

• Studied civil law in Paris and canon law at Orléans
• Served as ecclesiastical judge at Rennes and then Tréguier
• Ordained a priest in the mid-1280s
• Parish priest of Tredrez and Louannec
• Canonized in 1347

Patron of

Brittany, Lawyers, Abandoned children

Saints from the same country

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Saint Louis IX of France, Saint Joan of Arc, Saint Francis de Sales

References

• Catholic Encyclopedia, "St. Ives (Yves)" (newadvent.org/cathen/08256b.htm)

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.