Saint Odo of Cluny

Odo (c. 878–942) was raised in the court of Duke William of Aquitaine, the founder of Cluny, and became a canon of Saint Martin's in Tours. Moved by the Rule of Saint Benedict, he became a monk under Abbot Berno and succeeded him as abbot of Cluny in 927. With the pope's support he renewed many monasteries in France and Italy, including houses in Rome, bringing back prayer, silence and fidelity to the Rule. Gentle with the poor and firm against corruption, he also worked as a peacemaker between rival rulers.

He wrote one of the first lives of a lay saint, Gerald of Aurillac, showing that ordinary people could become holy in the world. He died in Tours, near the tomb of Saint Martin, whom he loved.