Saint Thorlak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids SaintThorlak Thorhallsson |
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| Bishop of Skálholt | |
| Born | 1133 Fljótshlíð, Icelandic Commonwealth |
| Died | 23 December 1193 (aged 59–60) Skálholt, Iceland |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church Evangelical-Lutheran Diocese of North America |
| Canonized | 14 January 1984 by Pope John Paul II |
| Feast | 23 December; 20 July (translation of relics) |
| Patronage | Iceland, fishermen, autistics, Catholics of Scandinavia |
Thorlak Thorhallsson (in Icelandic: Þorlákur Þórhallsson) was an important religious leader in Iceland. He was born in 1133 and passed away on December 23, 1193. He is known as the patron saint of Iceland.
From 1178 until his death, Thorlak served as the Bishop of Skálholt. After he passed away, his remains were moved to the Skálholt Cathedral in 1198. This happened after his successor, Páll Jónsson, announced that people could make special promises to Thorlak.
Even though people in Iceland honored him as a saint for a long time, the Catholic Church officially recognized him much later. On January 14, 1984, Pope John Paul II made him an official saint. He also declared him the patron saint of Iceland. His special day, called a feast day, is December 23. On this day, a celebration called Thorlac's Mass is held in Iceland.
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Early Life and Education
Thorlak was born in 1133 in a farming family in southern Iceland. His birthplace was Hlíðarendi, which was part of the Skálholt area. He showed a strong interest in religion from a young age.
He became a deacon before he was 15 years old. By the time he was 18, he was ordained as a priest. Thorlak then traveled to study in other countries. He studied in Paris at the School of Saint Victor from about 1153 to 1159. There, he learned about the Rule of Saint Augustine, which is a set of rules for religious life. After Paris, he studied canon law (church law) in Lincoln, England.
Becoming a Bishop
Thorlak returned to Iceland in 1165. He decided to live a very strict religious life. He refused to marry, even turning down a wealthy widow. Many other Icelandic priests at the time were married, but Thorlak chose a different path.
He founded a monastery for Canons Regular at Þykkvabær. In this monastery, he dedicated himself to prayer and religious practices. He would often recite the Our Father, the Creed, a hymn, and fifty Psalms.
Later, Thorlak was made a bishop by Augustine of Nidaros. As a bishop, he worked to make sure the Augustinian rules were followed in Iceland. He also tried to stop practices like buying and selling church positions and priests being involved in worldly affairs.
Becoming a Saint
The story of Thorlak's life and many miracles are written in a detailed Icelandic story called Þorláks saga helga. This story, also known as the Saga of Saint Thorlak, was re-published when Pope John Paul II visited Iceland in 1989. It seems that Thorlak was informally recognized as a saint in Iceland by church leaders. Many early miracles were reported by priests from different areas.
Thorlak was officially recognized as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church on January 14, 1984. This happened when Pope John Paul II made him a saint and declared him the patron saint of Iceland.
Thorlak's special container for his remains, called a reliquary, was kept in the Diocese of Skálholt. However, it was destroyed during the Reformation, a time of big changes in the church. His remains were scattered around the cathedral grounds. Today, the only known part of Thorlak that remains is a small bone fragment. It is kept with other saints' relics in a lead box in the St. Magnus Cathedral in the Faroe Islands.
In May 2018, a special nine-day prayer, called a novena, in honor of Thorlak was approved. The Bishop of Reykjavík, Iceland, allowed all faithful people to use it.
Thorlak's Mass Holiday
The Mass of St. Thorlak (Þorláksmessa; pronounced like THOR-lauks-mess-ah) is an Icelandic holiday. It is celebrated on December 23. This celebration honors Saint Thorlak. The day is also celebrated in the Faroe Islands, where it is called Tollaksmessa.
Today, Þorláksmessa is seen as part of the Christmas season. It is often the last day for people to get ready for Christmas. Many people buy their last Christmas presents and finish decorating their homes and Christmas trees. In Reykjavík, on the evening of Þorláksmessa, many people enjoy walking down Laugavegur, a popular street.
Traditionally, fish was eaten on Þorláksmessa. This is because December 23 was the last day of the Catholic Christmas fast, when people would avoid meat. In the remote Westfjords region of Iceland, it is a custom to eat fermented skate fish with potatoes on Þorláksmessa. This dish has a very strong smell, similar to another Icelandic food called hákarl. People eat this strong-smelling dish to continue an old tradition. The skate is usually served with boiled or mashed potatoes and a shot of brennivín, an Icelandic drink.
Patron of Autistic People
A group in the state of New York has suggested that Thorlak should also be the patron saint of people with autism.
A blog called "Autism Consecrated," written by Aimee O'Connell, who is autistic, promotes Saint Thorlak. She sees him as a good example for autistic Catholics to look up to.
See also
- Jól (Iceland)
