Saint of the Day – 2 December – Saint Oderisius de Marsi OSB (Died 1105)

Saint of the Day – 2 December – Saint Oderisius de Marsi OSB (Died 1105) Italian Deacon and Cardinal, Abbot of Montecassino, Count of the great noble family of the Marsi. Born at Marsi, Italy and died in 1105 of natural causes at Montecassino. Also known as – Oderisius I, Oderisius of Montecassino, Oderisius of Monte Cassino, Odorisio, Odorisius.

In the ancient and historic centre of Naples, is an area of ​​great artistic and archaeological interest and, therefore, declared a world heritage site, in a narrow alley, behind the large Basilica complex, there is the Sansevero Chapel. Initially, in 1500, it was a Votive Chapel, (a Chapel built in thanksgiving) then, in 1750, it became the burial Chapel of the Princes of Sansevero dei Marsi and Sangro. , by the munificent, wise, scientist and mysterious Raimondo de Sangro, prince of Sansevero.

In this Chapel, resides a concentration of sculptural and architectural works which are famous throughout Europe. The six Saints descended from this ancient Princely House are depicted in the vault: St Randisio – Cardinal, St Berardo (Died 1123) Bishop, Rosalia (Died 1166), Bl Philippa (c1190-1236), St Pietro and our Saint Odorisius.

For Odorisius there is also a magnificent Altar dedicated to him, with a Statue created by the sculptor Francesco Queirolo which depicts him in a mystical attitude, kneeling on a ushion, with the Cardinal’s hat next to him.

Odorisius, was the Count of the Marsi and was created Cardinal Deacon by Pope Alexander II. In 1087 he became the 39th Abbot of the Benedictine Monastery of Montecassino. Emulating the great Abbot Desiderius, his predecessor, he continued his artistic works for the Abbey, demonstrated zeal and favour for the Crusaders whom he welcomed in Montecassino, supporting them with letters sent to the Emperor Alexius of Constantinople.

He had great pity for the deceased, he established a devout and charitable tradition in the Monastery whereby, after the death of each Monk, a poor person would be fed in his place, for thirty days, a custom still in force, as recounted in a 1977 text. There is also, a whole series of prayers and singing of psalms, in suffrage of the deceased which he established for the Cassino community, to be recited everyday. Every Friday he established the custom of the celebration of a Holy Mass for the specific intention of the Faithful Departed.

During his government, the 11th Century ended which had seen the maximum splendour of Montecassino, while continuing the terrible fight against the Muslim invasion.

He died on 2 December 1105 and was buried in Montecassino.