Odo of Cluny
Odo of Cluny (c. 878 – 18 November 942) was the second abbot of Cluny.
Born to a noble family, he served as a page at the court of Aquitaine. He became a canon of the Church of St. Martin in Tours and continued his education in Paris under Remigius of Auxerre. Upon returning to Tours, Odo became disillusioned with the life of a canon and subsequently entered the Benedictine abbey at Baume, where he became superior of the abbey school.
Odo joined Abbot Berno at Cluny and, when Berno died in 927, was elected his successor. While abbot, he also managed the priory at Romainmôtier. Next, he undertook the reform of Fleury Abbey. He encouraged the monks to adhere more closely to the original Rule of Saint Benedict. In 931, the Pope authorized Odo to continue his work in the monasteries of Aquitaine. He enacted the various Cluniac Reforms of France and Italy. In 937, he went to Rome and was given the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. He also sent his aides to Monte Cassino and Subiaco.
Patron saint of Musicians; for rain; against drought
In the Martyrology
- November 18 Saint Odon, abbot of Cluny