Pope’s General Audience of Sept. 2 on Saint Odo of Cluny

(September 02, 2009) Every week on Wednesdays, the Pope holds a public meeting, called the general audience, during which pilgrims and tourists who come to Rome have a chance of seeing and hearing him speak. The Holy Father delivers a spiritual reflection and greets various groups in their languages.
The General Audience of Sept. 2 was Pope Benedict’s first in the Vatican in nearly two months. His last general audience in the Vatican was on July 8^th. After his annual vacation in the Italian Alps July 13-29 he has been spending the rest of summer at the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, south-east of Rome, where he has held his recent general audience on Wednesdays.
The General Audience of Sept. 2 in Vatican’s Paul VI audience hall began with the reading of a scripture passage in various languages. An aide greeted the Pope on behalf of the English-speaking pilgrims, presenting the various groups to him. Pope Benedict then delivered a reflection in English.
Listen:

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Our catechesis today deals with another great monastic figure of the Middle Ages, Saint Odo of Cluny. Attracted by the Benedictine ideal, Odo became a monk, and later the second abbot, of Cluny. At the beginning of the ninth century, Cluny was the center of an influential movement of Church reform, and Odo, by his example and teaching did much to further this spiritual renewal throughout Europe. His writings reveal how deeply he was influenced by the monastic virtues of contemplation, detachment from this world and longing for the world to come. Odo was particularly devoted to the Eucharist, emphasizing the real and substantial presence of Christ under the species of bread and wine. This conviction of faith led him to work for the reform of the clergy and to stress the need for a worthy reception of the Sacrament. An authentic spiritual guide for his troubled times, Odo blended the personal austerity of a great reformer with a constant and joyful contemplation of Christ’s infinite mercy.
I offer a warm welcome to the English-speaking visitors present at today’s Audience, including those from England, Scotland, Ireland, Nigeria and the United States. My particular greeting goes to the Servants of the Holy Spirit, as well as the young people from The Holy Study House of Prayer. Upon all of you I invoke God’s blessings of joy and peace!