St. Harvey of Brittany

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St. Harvey—also known as St. Hervé—was a 6th-century Breton hermit, abbot, and confessor who lived a life of profound holiness despite being born blind. Raised in a devout Christian family in what is now Brittany, France, Harvey was gifted with deep spiritual vision even though his physical eyes had never seen the world. From an early age, he had a love for prayer, music, and solitude, and was entrusted to the care of a holy man named Arzian, who helped guide him in the ways of the Lord.

Though he lived in humble obscurity, Harvey’s holiness began to shine. Miracles and wonders surrounded his life, drawing others to Christ through his peaceful presence and powerful intercession.

Though Harvey never became a priest, he was chosen by God to be an abbot, spiritual father, and wonderworker. He lived simply, praying, chanting, and guiding those who came to him. He became especially beloved among the poor and those who were also blind or marginalized.

His tomb became a site of veneration, and he remains one of the most honored saints in Brittany, remembered not for power or fame, but for his deep love of God, his kindness to creation, and his quiet miracles.

Miracles of St. Harvey

He Sang with the Birds

Harvey’s soul was filled with the psalms, and though he could not read, he memorized Scripture through chant. As he sang in the forests, birds would gather around him—and some say they sang with him in perfect harmony. Nature recognized the beauty of a soul so close to God.

The Tame Wolf

When thieves stole the donkey that helped guide Harvey through the countryside, he and his young assistant were left stranded. But God provided: a wild wolf came out of the woods, bowed its head, and took the donkey’s place—carrying their burdens peacefully for the rest of the journey. This miracle became a symbol of Harvey’s gentleness and dominion over creation.

The Healing Springs

In places like Plouzévédé and Lanhouarneau, wells dedicated to St. Harvey were said to have been blessed by his presence or prayers. These “St. Harvey’s wells” became pilgrimage sites, where people came to seek healing—especially for blindness, eye diseases, and spiritual darkness.

Vision of a Departing Soul

Despite his physical blindness, Harvey was said to have been granted spiritual sight. One day, while praying, he suddenly began singing praises to God. When asked why, he said he had just witnessed the soul of a holy man rising to heaven—and soon after, news arrived of the man’s death. Though blind, Harvey saw with the eyes of eternity.

The Miracle of Light

In one touching account, Harvey visited a dying monk in a dark room. As he prayed, the space filled with heavenly light, though there were no windows and no flame was lit. The light calmed the monk, and Harvey stayed until the soul passed peacefully to God.

St. Harvey reminds us that true vision comes from the heart—and that God often speaks through the lowly, the gentle, and the unseen.

May we, like St. Harvey, learn to see with eternal eyes.