Skip to main content
There's a Saint for That! Search

St. Berno of Cluny

Feast 01-13

Patron of

About

Saint Berno of Cluny, also known as Berno of Baume, was the first abbot of the monastery of Cluny from its founding in 909 until his death in 927. A monk of noble birth, Berno had already governed the abbey of Baume-les-Messieurs when Duke William of Aquitaine placed the new foundation of Cluny under his care.

Berno established the principles that would define the Cluniac reform: independence from lay control, strict adherence to the Rule of St. Benedict, and a rich liturgical life centered on prayer. Under his guidance Cluny became a model of monastic observance, and the reforms he began would be carried by his successors across Europe in the following centuries.

He is remembered as the father of a movement that reshaped Western monasticism, restoring discipline and devotion to houses that had grown lax.

monks, monk, monastic, monasticism, monastic life, monasteries, religious brothers, cloistered monks, monastic orders, monks life, brothers, church reform, reforming the church, church renewal, ecclesiastical reform, renewing the church, church changes, church improvement, church revitalization

Suggested prayer

O God, who raised up St. Berno to found the monastery of Cluny and to renew monastic discipline, grant through his intercession that those who serve You in religious life may be faithful to their calling. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sources

Other saints to pray to

For monks

For church reform