Odilo

c.962-1049. Fifth abbot of Cluny. He became acting abbot in 994, three years after he entered the monastery, and was abbot for fifty years from 999. A man of outstanding ability, he was responsible for a significant building program at Cluny, a tremendous expansion of daughter houses, and more centralized control of the daughter houses by the main monastery at Cluny. In addition he was an active leader in diplomatic affairs, both as a counselor to Emperor Henry II* and as a mediator between Emperor Conrad II and the king of France, Robert II, in 1025. He introduced the commemoration of All Souls Day (2 November) at Cluny, which was later extended to the whole church, and was responsible for the extension of the Truce of God* to S France and Italy. Known for his concern for the poor, he sold treasures of the monastery to aid the poor during the severe famine of 1033. Odilo was canonized in 1063.