Bob Schwartz

“He sold or melted down much of Cluny’s treasure to relieve the poor in time of famine and was known for his saying that he would rather be damned for being too merciful than for being too severe.”

Even those who may recognize today as All Saints Day (the day after All Hallow’s Eve) may not have heard of Saint Odilo.

Odilo (ca. 962–1049) was abbot for fifty-five years. Under him Cluny became the most important abbey in western Europe. It was he who instituted the feast of All Souls [November 2], first for deceased monks and then for all the deceased faithful. He sold or melted down much of Cluny’s treasure to relieve the poor in time of famine and was known for his saying that he would rather be damned for being too merciful than for being too severe.

If that seems like a lead-in to a call for donation to help the starving, you’re right.

Two million Palestinians–half of them children–are living without access to sufficient medical care. The IRC deployed 11 emergency medical teams over the past year, and with partners, we are supporting emergency medical care in the few partially-operational hospitals still remaining. We are providing medicine and supplies.

Food and Water
Two million Palestinians are living without access to sufficient food and water. The IRC is directly providing 100,000 liters of clean drinking water and malnutrition support (through ready-to-use therapeutic food, a nutrient-rich paste for malnourished children) in Gaza.

Protection for Women and Children
In both Gaza and the West Bank, the IRC is providing protection services for women and children–reaching those in temporary shelters in Gaza, and serving communities in the West Bank. In both Gaza and the West Bank, the IRC is also providing early childhood development activities.

Ceasefire
The IRC continues to call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza, one that seeks to fully protect Palestinian lives, secure the release of hostages and safely scale up humanitarian assistance and service delivery.

There is no place safe in Gaza for Palestinians. Nearly 1 million displaced Palestinians are sheltering across hundreds of emergency shelters or in the surrounding areas further exacerbating the conditions in what was already one of the most densely populated areas in the world.

Your support at this critical time helps families in crisis in Gaza and across the world. Donate now.

International Rescue Committee

That’s what Saint Odilo would do.