The Feast of St. Ives

Born in France in the mid-13th century his father was a Lord. 

As a young man, Ives was sent to Paris to study law but, while others his age enjoyed the pleasures of Paris, he was devoted to his faith, and helping the poor and oppressed. 

Ives had a great desire to use his skills to serve those with little or no voice. He studied Canon Law, eventually became an Ecclesiastical Judge, and may have joined the Third Order of the Franciscans. 

Ives was a man of deep faith, prayer, and fasting, and gave generously to the poor. But, when necessary, he also defended them in court. 

One example of his work comes from a story about a poor widow who had allowed two men to stay with her for a night. The next morning they both left and asked her to keep an eye on a suitcase they said contained a great deal of valuables. Later one of them came back, asked for the suitcase and left. When the other returned he said the first man had stolen the suitcase full of valuables and took the woman to court, demanding he be repaid. Ives defended the woman, found the second man, and proved in court that they were working together and that there never were any valuables in the suitcase. 

He died on this day in 1303. 

St. Ives, please pray for us.