St. Odilo of Cluny

  Posted on December 30, 2023  by admin  No comments

Born: 962 at Auvergne, France

Died: 1 January 1049 at Souvigny, France of natural causes, relics burned in 1793 during the French Revolution

Patronage: against jaundice, souls in Purgatory.

Also known as Archangel of Monks, Olon, Odilon

Additional Memorials 29 April as one of the Seven Abbots of Cluny, 19 January in Cluny (formerly 2 January), 6 February in Switzerland

Born to the French nobility, the son of Berald de Mercoeur and Gerberga who became a nun when widowed. Cured of unnamed malady in childhood by the intervention of Our Lady. Monk at Cluny at age 29. Abbot at Cluny in 994 at age 32 until his death. Promoted the Truce of God whereby military hostilities were suspended at certain times for ostensibly religious reasons, but which allowed enough commerce that people could survive, and which guaranteed sanctuary to those who sought refuge in a church. Instituted the feast now know as All Soul’s Day. Known to sell Church property and treasures to feed the poor during times of famine. Declined the archbishopric of Lyon. Increased the Cluniac houses from 37 to 65. The cause for his canonization was pressed by Saint Peter Damian, who wrote a biography of him.