Saint of the Day: The Abbots of Cluny

(910-1109)

Their story

+ On this day Benedictines and Cistercians honor the memory of five abbots of the French abbey of Cluny. Saints Odo, Mailous, Odilo, and Hugh, with Blessed Peter “the Venerable,” were among the most prominent and influential leaders of the Church in the Middle Ages.

+ The monks of Cluny and the reform movement they created helped to renew monastic life throughout Europe and to help the Church overcome corruption and division.

+ Many customs introduced in Cluny and the monasteries associated the great abbey—including the Commemoration of All the Father Departed (All Souls Day) on November 2—remain part of our religious traditions today.

For prayer and reflection

“Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection.”—Colossians 3:12-14

Lord our God, you are the shield and glorious reward of those who walk blamelessly before you. Keep us steadfast in your holy service so that, by the example and intercession of the blessed abbots of Cluny, we may with open hearts run the path of perfect charity. Through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

(from The Benedictine Supplement: Proper Masses for Use of the Benedictine Confederation).

Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.