Yves
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [1]
(Ives De Rer-Martin known by the name of Saint) was born at the manor of Rer-Martin, parish of Menehi, Bretagne, October 17, 1253. Sprung from a noble family of the diocese of Treguier, he was son of Heelor, or Helori, and Azo of Kenquis. Being sent to Paris, he devoted ten years to the study of theology and of civil and canon law (1267-77). Having passed through the University of Orleans, he attended the lectures of William of Blaye, with whom he examined the Decretals. Afterwards, at Rennes, under the Franciscans, he studied the Sentences of Pierre Lombard and the interpretation of the Scriptures. Having received the minor orders, he was successively rector of Tredrez (1285) and curate of Lohanec (1293). He was connected with the hospital of the patrimonial estate of Rer-Martin, and appointed Advocate of the Poor. The fasts and austerities to which he submitted himself did not hinder him, in the meantime, from actively engaging in preaching, nor from filling his judicial functions with such energy and equity as to make him an object of terror to the evil litigants. The croon found no favor in his eyes in urging fiscal claims against the clergy, and he opposed more than once the levying of royal impositions, which he deemed unjust. He died at Lohanec, May 19, 1303. At the solicitation of duke Jean de Montfort, who made a trip to Avigunon for that purpose, the canonization of Ives was declared by a brief of Clement VI on May 19, 1347, and his anniversary has since been held on that day. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v. See also Ivo.
The Nuttall Encyclopedia [2]
The patron-saint of lawyers; was a lawyer himself, and used his knowledge of the law to defend the oppressed; is called in Brittany "the poor man's advocate."
