Saint Odilo of Cluny
Also known as
- 1 January
- 2 January on some calendars
- 11 May on some calendars
- 31 December on some calendars
- 3 January (dioceses of Lausanne, Geneva and Fribourg)
- 29 April as one of the Seven Abbots of Cluny
- 19 January in Cluny (formerly 2 January)
- 6 February in Switzerland
Profile
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.
Born
- 1 January 1049 at Souvigny, France of natural causes
- relics burned in 1793 during the French Revolution
- Benedictine abbot with a skull and crossbones at his feet
- abbot celebrating Mass with Purgatory open at his side
- abbot in the same image as angels releasing souls from Purgatory
MLA Citation
- “Saint Odilo of Cluny“. CatholicSaints.Info. 24 December 2023. Web. 15 May 2024. <>