Today Jacapone da Todi squares off against Ives of Kermartin. Two lawyers in the same matchup? Who knew lawyers were even eligible for sainthood?! Will there be a legal landslide? Or will one of these attorneys be ruled out of order? In 24 hours we'll announce the verdict.
Yesterday, despite a strong showing by Henriette Delille, Absalom Jones got past her 54% to 46% to make it to the Saintly Sixteen, where he'll face Marianne Cope.
And if you've ever wondered about how the annual Lent Madness bracket is formulated, you won't want to miss yesterday's exciting episode of Monday Madness. Now go vote!
Jacapone da Todi
All the world is a stage, and God needs the highly dramatic to play a part. God found this person in Jacopone da Todi. Born around 1230 into a noble family, Jacomo became a successful lawyer and married a deeply religious woman. Jacomo was anything but deeply religious, instead concerned with attaining all the wealth he could, regardless of the human cost. His wife decided to atone for his sins by fasting and wearing clothing to signify her penance for his sins. She was killed in a tragic accident, and when Jacomo discovered his wife’s penitential practices on his behalf, he was shaken and stirred to focus his life on following God.
Following her death, he gave away all his possessions to the poor and entered a Franciscan Order as a layman and a wandering ascetic for almost a decade. During this time, Jacomo had some rather unusual prayer practices, including wearing a saddle, crawling on all fours, and appearing at a wedding tarred and feathered. Not surprisingly, he began to be known by the name Jacopone, which means “crazy Jim/James.”
Jacopone, a name he embraced, sought to be admitted to the Friars Minor, but given his reputation, they were cautious. In response, Jacopone composed a beautiful poem about the vanities of the world. His use of language, particularly in the vernacular of his region, not only led to his admission to the order in 1278, but he also left a legacy of elegant, prayerful language that remains with us today. He used his poetry to capture sorrow, condemn church corruption, call out kings and clergy for ignoring the welfare of the common people, and inspire the faithful.
Jacopone continued to be controversial and dramatic, managing to get himself excommunicated and imprisoned for being on the losing side of a reformation movement within the Franciscans. During his imprisonment, he composed the famous Latin Stabat Mater Dolorosa, a hymn that gives voice to Mary as she witnesses her son Jesus’ crucifixion, and is often sung on Good Friday in many Christian traditions.
At the end of his life, Jacopone retired to a convent of the Poor Clares. On Christmas Eve, in 1306, Jacopone sang a Christmas hymn, listened to the priest chant the Gloria at the beginning of midnight mass, and died.
Collect for Jacapone da Todi
O God, whose blessed Son became poor that we through his poverty might be rich: Deliver us from an inordinate love of this world, that we, inspired by the devotion of your servant Jacapone, may serve you with singleness of heart, and attain to the riches of the age to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Ives of Kermartin
Ives lived, worked, and ministered in the thirtheenth century. As such, he could not have possibly known that he would have a lasting impact on the world, but he did, as evidenced by his nickname, Advocate of the Poor.
Ives is also known as Yves, Ivo, Yvo, Yves, Erwan, Iwan, Youenn, Eozenn, and Saint Ivo of Kermartin. He was a French priest and an important assistant to the bishop. He was also a lawyer, where he made his eternal mark.
Ives was born on October 17, 1253, in Brittany, France, the son of the lord of nearby Kermartin. After studying scripture, he was ordained in 1284 and served as a parish priest in Trédrez and Louannec, France. Ives studied civil law at the prestigious University of Paris and continued his education by studying canon law. He was known to lead a spartan life during his university years, focusing on learning, praying, and visiting the sick. Among his fellow students and colleagues was the great philosopher Roger Bacon.
Ives was tireless in his ministry of law. His life’s work was based on fairness, justice, providing dignity, and respecting the rights of all people, whether poor or rich, young or old, man or woman. He earned his title “Advocate of the Poor” for his defense of widows, orphans, and the poor.
Ives’s dedicated ministry sparked his appointment to the bishop’s staff, becoming an ecclesiastical judge while continuing his defense of poor people. Following a long career dedicated to both civil and church law, he died in 1303. Pope Clement VI canonized Ives in 1347. His feast is celebrated on May 19.
Ives is the patron saint of attorneys, legal professionals, paralegals, advocates, abandoned children, and the Brittany region in France. The honors live on, with numerous law schools and lawyers’ associations named for Saint Ives. He is often depicted with a money bag in his right hand, representing the assets he gave to the poor, and a scroll, signifying the law, in the other.
On his 700th birthday, Ives was honored with a tribute from Pope John Paul II: “The values proposed by Saint Ivo retain an astonishing timeliness. His concern to promote impartial justice and to defend the rights of the poorest persons invite the builders of Europe today to make every effort to ensure that the rights of all, especially the weakest, are recognized and defended.”
Collect for Ives of Kermartin
Almighty God, who gave to your servant Ives special gifts of grace to understand and teach the truth as it is in Christ Jesus: Grant that by this teaching, we may know you, the one true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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116 comments on “Jacapone da Todi vs. Ives of Kermartin”
Seems like Crazy Jim's wife was as deserving of sainthood...
I felt most drawn to the example set by Ives, but the poetry of "Stabat Mater" has always resonated very deeply with me. Jacapone it is!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yALiXuYqdWE
I was tempted to vote for Jacapone, for his poetry. Also for his repentance, however bizarrely expressed. But I am so drawn to the idea of an attorney who worked doggedly to defend the poor that I voted for Ives on behalf of the US judicial system, that it may reform the courts to advance judges whose minds are not darkened by the Federalist Society or by ALEC, who believe in the constitution as a living document that nurtures democracy, equity, and justice. I cannot believe Ives would approve of Guantanamo, of police chokeholds, of deportations by ICE, or of hypocritical "law and order" political candidates more concerned with looking "tough on [colored] crime" than with writing legislation that would achieve indigenous reparations, education, universal healthcare, a fair tax system, rights for migrants, protection of the planet, and regulation of predatory capitalism. The law is an honorable and necessary profession if practiced with dedication, compassion, and empathy for the dispossessed, despised, and falsely accused.
Well said. As an attorney who represented the indigent and foster children I could not agree more. So much more to do for true equality. I had to vote for Ives.
Well said.
As a sister of a Public Defender, who else could I vote for but St. Ives?
I love reading about Ives' life and all his work in the name of Justice, but I am so awed by "Stabat Mater" and dying after the Gloria at Christmas Eve mass. What a way to go! Voting for "Big Jim."
Dying after the Christmas eve service and a sumptuous, scrumptious reveillon would be lovely, but I would definitely wait until morning to see what Santa had brought!
Good point! But the ecstasy--!
Jacapones’ wife did penance for him? She was crazy then he overdid it just a little it.
St. Ives of the many names gets my vote today for his Lon lasting influences & advocacy for the poor.
I can never resist noting the birth and death dates of the saints we're offered to vote on and wondering if their earthly paths ever crossed. In today's entries Jaco was 23 and well on his way to amassing a wealthy legal practice and an adoring wife whose faith and untimely nearly and clearly unhinged him. Ivo might have heard of this wonderfully weird fellow lawyer and decided to stick to the straight and narrow justice for all likely moved by the Stabat Mater D0larosa and passing on at the tender age of 50 with Jaco outliving him by 3 years and dying a serene death at 76 in fittingly dramatic fashion. I'm not wasting my vote by giving it to Jaco. I'm applauding the outlandish drama of his being.
Two good lawyers. (Sounds like the beginning of a joke.) Both impressive and inspiring in slightly different ways. Jacapone moved from law to music (a big plus for this choir member) and Ives continued as a lawyer and judge advocating for and defending the poor. I have a son who is a lawyer working in an organization that seeks to improve the lives of people all over the world through various projects. I tell people he's a lawyer, but one of the good ones and in honor of him I'm voting for Ives.
I was not at all familiar with the Stabat Mater Dolarosa, which I now have listened to and read the translation of. I still voted for St. Ives, however. He seems to have been a "good and faithful servant", using his skills in the law in a manner that conformed to "whatsoever you did to the least of these, you did it to me."
As a widow and mother of an attorney, I have to go with Ives.
Well, I would have voted for Ives, but the "vote" button isn't there.
My Dad was a lawyer and a municipal judge in a village in western New York. St. Ives reminded
me of the type of work my Dad did....doing for others was his first concern, using his knowledge
to help those who did not have his education in the law. He was so fair minded that he was
elected municipal judge by the community for over 40 years. The poor, the underserved, whoever
had a need my Dad was there. He also took me to the municipal jail when I was 14 and gave me
a "tour"...I got the message..sort of!
I vote for ives
Tempting as it was to cast my vote for the poet, it goes instead to Saint Ives, in thanksgiving for all those who fearlessly and faithfully pursue justice for the poor, oppressed and marginalised.
Voted for Saint Ives, but can't believe a lawyer could qualify as a Saint.
My husband is a lawyer, and he works in his spare time to get immigrant detainees their freedom. And he's donated untold hours to providing legal work for our local theatre group. Justice AND the arts!
One does one’s best.
What sort of monsters do you think we lawyers are?
I'm voting for Jacapone because I'm a sucker for a good conversion story. Yeah, he might have been a little crazy, but all the really good poets and song writers are. Also appreciate his willingness to take on the status quo and demand reformation. All the best reformers seem a bit crazy with passion as well!
I have a daughter and son who are lawyers, might not be saint material but are honest people who work for justice! Although I love Stabat Mater Dolorosa, I voted for Ives, who devoted his energies and skills to work for the poor and marginalized. He is a role model for anyone today. Jacapone was too much of an attention seeker for me. Even in medieval times it must have been rude, as it today, to upstage the bride at a wedding. Showing up tarred and feathered would certainly do it!
I VOTE FOR JACAPONE, THOUGH BOTH OF THEM WERE INTERESTING LAWYERS.
As priest and lawyer I have to give my vote to Ives who inspires a justice system for ALL.
French folklore:
Saint Yves était Breton,
Avocat et non larron.
Saint Yves was a Breton,
A lawyer and not a thief.
As a newly retired paralegal who delivers Meals on Wheels and participates in other outreach projects through my parish and community, my vote had to go to Ives. Those who advocate for the poor, orphans and those outside the system, are to be celebrated! Yay for Ives.
My best friend is a lawyer, and she, like me, would give a thumbs up for Ives. Ives stood for those who had no standing.
The Gray Household was torn between Kermit and the Toad. I like the redemption story of Jacapone - may I be more undignified for Christ every day!
Oh, my gosh, I am not in step with the voting this year at all. I think maybe one person I have voted for has made it on so far. Jacapone da Todi wrote the Stabat Mater! Hello! The Stabat Mater! Need I say more? I guess so. He also spoke up against corruption, he was a poet and clearly a performance artist as well, and oh, did I mention he wrote the Stabat Mater??? That, too, is a lasting legacy.
Stay standing for the mother, sister!
I'm going to vote for Jacopone - it's the music thing - but I'm guessing Ives will come out the winner of this one.
The way Jacopone reacted to the death of his wife touched me deeply. We underestimate the psychic damage done by life’s tragedies. I’m not a big fan of the Stabat Mater theology but the reality is that the words have inspired some of our best choral music.
As a retired lawyer passionate about social justice, had to go with Ives. But appreciate having a new nickname to tease my brother Jim with - Jacopone!
Ass much as I have always loved the Stabat Mater, my love of Justice for the poor is stronger.
I was ready to write off Jacopone altogether, but I’ve sung the Stabat Mater at Passion Plays and while processing between Stations of the Cross.
All the drama of some of the lives of other contenders has kind of exhausted me. Ives of Kermartin's story was calming and refreshing, It's the Iveses of the world who get justice done.