Saint Yves

19. 5. 1253, Saint Yves Hélory (Yves of Kermartin). He was born into a farming family in Kermartin in Brittany. He was sent to study at universities in Paris and Orleans where he became an expert in civil and canon law. He was appointed diocesan judge and was known for his fairness, incorruptibility and for standing up for the poor and uneducated.

In 1284 he was ordained as a priest and worked in the parishes of Trédréz and Louannek. He also helped his parishioners as a lawyer, devoting his time to resolving their difficult situations and helping those in need to obtain the things they most needed.

After 14 years he left for his estate because he thought he would be of more use there. Here he lived in privation and self-restraint. He used his funds to build a hospital for the very poor who he supported with the crops on his family estate.

He excelled as a performer of miracles because he apparently fed hundreds of starving people with one loaf of bread. He was known as an advocate of equality and fairness and for his modesty and selflessness.

The Brotherhood of Yves was formed in France according to his example.

He is the patron saint of

judges, lawyers, notaries, legal representatives, parish priests, lathe operators, the poor, the forsaken, orphans, Nantes University and various law faculties and judicial processes.

Attributes

He is depicted with a book in his hand; he is usually wearing a beret and usually has a rope or a scourge in his hand; as a lawyer with a parchment in his hand, pointing upwards and surrounded by poor supplicants; as a lawyer with the symbols of the Holy Ghost, for example with doves.