Saint Thorlak

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Saint

Thorlak Thorhallsson
Evangelical-Lutheran Diocese of North America
Canonized14 January 1984 by Pope John Paul II
Feast23 December; 20 July (translation of relics)
PatronageIceland, fishermen, autistics, Catholics of Scandinavia

Thorlak Thorhallsson (Icelandic: Þorlákur Þórhallsson; 1133 – 23 December 1193) is the patron saint of Iceland. He was Bishop of Skálholt from 1178 until his death.[1] Thorlak's relics were translated to the Cathedral of Skalholt in 1198, not long after his successor, Páll Jónsson, announced at the Althing that vows could be made to Thorlak.

His status as a

feast day
is 23 December, when Thorlac's Mass is celebrated in Iceland.

Career

Born in 1133 at

Lincoln.[1]

Returning to Iceland in 1165, Thorlak founded a monastery of

Þykkvabær after refusing to marry a rich widow. There he devoted himself to a strictly religious life, refusing to marry (many other Icelandic priests were married) and devoting himself to reciting the Our Father, the Creed, and a hymn, as well as fifty Psalms
.

Thorlak was

Augustine of Nidaros and worked to regulate the Augustinian Rule in Iceland, as well as eradicate simony
, lay patronage, and clerical incontinency.

Canonization

Thorlak's life and dozens of his miracles are described in great detail in the Icelandic saga

sanctification in the Church in Iceland, promoted by Latin texts on which this was based, "was arranged in Icelandic ecclesiastical circles, clerics of both dioceses being conspicuous in reports of early miracles".[5]

Thorlak was officially recognised as a saint of the Roman Catholic Church on 14 January 1984, when John Paul II canonized him and declared him the patron saint of Iceland.[2]

The sacred reliquary of Thorlak was maintained in the Diocese of Skálholt until it was destroyed in the Reformation, and his mortal remains were strewn about the cathedral grounds. The only known remaining relic of Thorlak is a bone fragment contained with other saints' relics in a lead box in sanctuary's end wall ("The Golden Locker") of the St. Magnus Cathedral, Faroe Islands.[6]

Novena

A novena, or nine-day devotional prayer, in honor of Thorlac was approved in May 2018, by the Bishop of Reykjavík, Iceland, for use by all faithful.

Thorlak's mass

The Mass of St. Thorlak (Þorláksmessa; Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈθɔrˌlauksˌmɛssa]) is an Icelandic holiday celebrated on December 23. The celebration honors Saint Thorlak. The day is also celebrated in the Faroe Islands, where it is called Tollaksmessa (Faroese pronunciation: [ˈtʰɔtlaksˌmɛsːa]).

In modern times, Þorláksmessa has become part of Christmas, or the last day of preparations before Christmas.[3] Many people buy Christmas presents and finish decorating their houses and Christmas tree. On Þorláksmessa evening in Reykjavík, many stroll down Laugavegur.

Fish was usually eaten on Þorláksmessa since 23 December was the last day of the Catholic Christmas fast. In the remote

mashed potatoes, accompanied by a shot of brennivín
.

Other

A group based in the

autism.[8]

Autism Consecrated, a blog written by the autistic self-advocate Aimee O'Connell, promotes Saint Thorlak as a role model for autistic Catholics.[9]

See also

  • Jól (Iceland)

References

  1. ^ a b c Fahn & Gottskálk 2010, p. 19.
  2. ^ a b Fahn & Gottskálk 2010, p. 20.
  3. ^ a b "St. Thorlak of Iceland". Catholic News Agency.
  4. ^ Ásdís Egilsdóttir (ed.), Þorláks saga helga. Elsta gerð Þorláks sögu helga ásamt Jarteinabókog efni úr yngri gerðum sögunnar (Reykjavík: Þorlákssjóður, 1989).
  5. ^ Fahn & Gottskálk 2010, pp. 20–21.
  6. ^ "St. Ansgars Bulletin No. 89" (PDF).
  7. ^ "First, pickle your testicles ..." Archived from the original on 1 April 2008.
  8. ^ Rodríguez, Ketsia (3 April 2019). "St. Pius Tenth Parish creates a sensory-friendly worship space". Catholic Courier. Retrieved 24 December 2019.
  9. ^ "Autism Consecrated | Living the Mission of Saint Thorlak". Autism Consecrated. Retrieved 14 May 2021.

Sources

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Saint Thorlak.
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Bishop of Skálholt
1178–1193 		Succeeded by
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