St Odo of Cluny was also referred to as Eudes de Cluny.
He was the second abbot of Cluny.
He was born in 878 AD near Le Mans, France, and died on November 18 942 in Tours, France.
We celebrate his feast day on November 18 every year in the Catholic Church.
| St Odo of Cluny Biography | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 878 AD |
| Place of Birth | Near Le Mans, France |
| Profession | Second abbot of Cluny |
| Place of Work | France |
| Date of Death | November 18 942 |
| Place of Death | Tours, France |
| Feast Day | November 18 |
| Canonization | Pre-congregation |
| Patron Saint of |
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St Odo of Cluny Life History
St. Odo of Cluny was born in the year 879 AD near Le Mans, France, into a noble family as the son of Abbo.
His early upbringing took place in the courts of Count Fulk II of Anjou and Duke William of Aquitaine. He took the Order of Tonsure at the age of nineteen and became a canon at the church of Saint Martin of Tours.
For four years, he pursued studies in music and theology in Paris under the tutelage of Remigius of Auxerre.
Afterward, upon returning home, he dedicated years to a nearly solitary life in a cell, where he devoted himself to study and prayer.
In 909 AD, he embraced the Benedictine monastic life, becoming a monk at Baume in the diocese of Besancon, France.
Remarkably, he brought with him his entire collection of around 100 books. He benefited greatly from the spiritual guidance of the abbot, Saint Berno of Cluny.
Odo also served as the headmaster of the monastery school at Baume and, by 924 AD, he had risen to the position of Abbot of Baume. His leadership extended to becoming the abbot of Cluny, Massey, and Deols in 927 AD.
In 931 AD, Pope John XI entrusted Odo with the task of reforming numerous monasteries in the Aquitaine region, as well as in northern France and Italy.
He was instrumental in negotiating a peace agreement between Heberic of Rome and Hugh of Provence in 936 AD and revisited the task on two additional occasions within six years to maintain the peace between them.
His persuasive abilities extended to convincing secular leaders to relinquish control of monasteries, enabling them to return to their intended purpose as spiritual centers rather than sources of revenue for the state.
St. Odo’s accomplishments also encompassed the founding of the monastery of Our Lady on the Aventine in Rome.
He was a prolific writer, having composed a biography of Saint Gerald of Aurillac, three volumes of essays on morality, various homilies, an epic poem on the Redemption, and twelve choral antiphons in honor of Saint Martin of Tours.
Beyond his intellectual and administrative talents, he was admired for his charity and was often depicted giving his own clothing to those in need.
St. Odo of Cluny died on November 18, 942, while on a journey to Rome, Italy. His death occurred in Tours, France, due to natural causes, and he was laid to rest in the church of Saint Julian.
Unfortunately, during the religious conflicts of the time, most of his relics were destroyed by Huguenots.
St. Odo is the patron saint of musicians and is invoked for rain and protection against drought.
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