Saint Hervé
Encyclopedia
Saint Hervé of Brittany is a Breton
saint
of the sixth century. Along with Saint Ives
, he is one of the most popular Breton saints. His birthplace is stated as being Guimiliau
(Gwimilio) (and sometimes as Wales
http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=284), and his legend states that he was the son of a renowned bard
named Hyvarnion, a former member of the court of Childebert I
. The name of Hervé's mother was Rivanone.
Hervé was born blind
. With his disciple Guiharan, Hervé lived near Plouvien
as a hermit
and bard. His legend states that he had the power to cure animals and was accompanied by a domesticated wolf.
According to a legend, this wolf had devoured the ox
or donkey
Hervé used in plowing. Hervé then preached a sermon
that was so eloquent that the wolf penitentially begged to be allowed to serve in the ox's stead. Hervé's wolf pulled the plow from that day on.
He was joined by more disciples and refused any ordination
or earthly honor, accepting only to be ordained as an exorcist
. He died in 556 and was buried at Lanhouarneau
.
Brittany
Brittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
of the sixth century. Along with Saint Ives
Ivo of Kermartin
Saint Ivo of Kermartin , also known Yvo or Ives, as Erwann and as Yves Hélory , was a parish priest among the poor of Louannec, the only one of his station to be canonized in the Middle Ages. He is the patron of Brittany, lawyers, and abandoned children. His feast day is May 19...
, he is one of the most popular Breton saints. His birthplace is stated as being Guimiliau
Guimiliau
Guimiliau is a commune in the Finistère department of Brittany in north-western France.It is noted for its parish close. It should not be confused with the neighbouring commune and village of Lampaul-Guimiliau.-Population:...
(Gwimilio) (and sometimes as Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=284), and his legend states that he was the son of a renowned bard
Bard
In medieval Gaelic and British culture a bard was a professional poet, employed by a patron, such as a monarch or nobleman, to commemorate the patron's ancestors and to praise the patron's own activities.Originally a specific class of poet, contrasting with another class known as fili in Ireland...
named Hyvarnion, a former member of the court of Childebert I
Childebert I
Childebert I was the Frankish king of Paris, a Merovingian dynast, one of the four sons of Clovis I who shared the kingdom of the Franks upon their father's death in 511...
. The name of Hervé's mother was Rivanone.
Hervé was born blind
Blindness
Blindness is the condition of lacking visual perception due to physiological or neurological factors.Various scales have been developed to describe the extent of vision loss and define blindness...
. With his disciple Guiharan, Hervé lived near Plouvien
Plouvien
Plouvien is a commune in the Finistère department in Bretagne in northwestern France.-Breton language:The municipality launched a linguistic plan through Ya d'ar brezhoneg on May 24, 2007....
as a hermit
Hermit
A hermit is a person who lives, to some degree, in seclusion from society.In Christianity, the term was originally applied to a Christian who lives the eremitic life out of a religious conviction, namely the Desert Theology of the Old Testament .In the...
and bard. His legend states that he had the power to cure animals and was accompanied by a domesticated wolf.
According to a legend, this wolf had devoured the ox
Ox
An ox , also known as a bullock in Australia, New Zealand and India, is a bovine trained as a draft animal. Oxen are commonly castrated adult male cattle; castration makes the animals more tractable...
or donkey
Donkey
The donkey or ass, Equus africanus asinus, is a domesticated member of the Equidae or horse family. The wild ancestor of the donkey is the African Wild Ass, E...
Hervé used in plowing. Hervé then preached a sermon
Sermon
A sermon is an oration by a prophet or member of the clergy. Sermons address a Biblical, theological, religious, or moral topic, usually expounding on a type of belief, law or behavior within both past and present contexts...
that was so eloquent that the wolf penitentially begged to be allowed to serve in the ox's stead. Hervé's wolf pulled the plow from that day on.
He was joined by more disciples and refused any ordination
Ordination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
or earthly honor, accepting only to be ordained as an exorcist
Exorcist
In some religions an exorcist is a person who is believed to be able to cast out the devil or other demons. A priest, a nun, a monk, a healer, a shaman or other specially prepared or instructed person can be an exorcist...
. He died in 556 and was buried at Lanhouarneau
Lanhouarneau
Lanhouarneau is a commune in the Finistère department of Brittany in north-western France.-Population:Inhabitants of Lanhouarneau are called in French Lanhouarnéens.-References:** ;-External links:*...
.