![[Saint Odo of Cluny]](sainto26.jpg "jpg detail from an icon of Saint Odo; swiped from a collection at the web site of Saint Hilarion Monastery, Austin, Texas; please do not write to ask about the image")
Benedictine monk at Baume, diocese of Besancon, France in 909, bringing all his worldly possessions - a library of about 100 books. Spiritual student of the abbot, Saint Berno of Cluny. Headmaster of the monastery school at Baume. Abbot of Baume in 924. Abbot of Cluny, Massey and Deols in 927.
In 931, Pope John XI asked Odo to reform all the monasteries in the Aquitaine, northern France and Italy. Negotiated a peace between Heberic of Rome and Hugh of Provence in 936; returned twice in six years to renegotiate the peace between them. Persuaded many secular leaders to give up control of monasteries so they could return to being spiritual centers, not sources of cash for the state. Founded the monastery of Our Lady on the Aventine in Rome. Wrote a biography of Saint Gerald of Aurillac, three books of essays on morality, some homilies, an epic poem on the Redemption, and twelve choral antiphons in honour of Saint Martin of Tours. Noted for his knowledge, his administrative abilities, his skills as a reformer, and as a writer; also known for his charity, he has been depicted giving the poor the clothes off his back.
18 November 942 in Tours, France of natural causes while travelling to Rome buried in the church of Saint Julian most relics burned by Huguenots
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