Saint William of Dijon

Also known as: William of Saint Benignus
Memorial: 1 January
Profile: Italian nobility, the son of Count Robert of Volpiano. Born during a battle in which his father defended the island against Emperor Otto. When the island was lost, the Emperor became William's sponsor and patron. Educated from age seven in the Benedictine abbey of Locadio, Vercelli, Italy. Benedictine monk at Locadio. Monk at Cluny in 987 under Saint Majolus. Reorganized Saint Sernin abbey on the Rhône. Abbot of Saint Benignus abbey at Dijon Ordained in 990. Under his direction, and his zeal for the Cluniac reform, Benignus became a center of spirituality, education, and culture, and the mother monastery of some 40 others in Burgundy, Lorraine, Normandy, and northern Italy. Noted for his zeal for the Church, his tender concern for the poor, his resolve and lack of intimidation when dealing with the politically powerful.
Born: 962 in the family castle on San Giuglio Island, Lake Orta, Novara, Piedmont, northern Italy
Died: 1 January 1031 at Fecamp monastery, Normandy, France of natural causes
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