Saint Thorlak Thorhallsson

Life story

Thorlak was born in 1133 at Hlíðarendi in Fljótshlíð, in southern Iceland, into a farming family. He became a deacon before the age of fifteen and a priest at eighteen. From about 1153 to 1159 he studied in Paris and then at Lincoln in England.

Back in Iceland he founded the country's first Augustinian monastery at Þykkvabær in 1168. In 1174 he was elected bishop of Skálholt; in 1178 Archbishop Eysteinn Erlendsson of Nidaros consecrated him, and he held the see until his death.

He died at Skálholt on 23 December 1193. In 1198 his remains were moved into Skálholt Cathedral.

His feast, 23 December, is called Þorláksmessa in Iceland. In 1984 Pope John Paul II formally confirmed his veneration and declared him patron saint of Iceland. On his 1989 visit to Iceland the same pope referred to Saint Thorlak Thorhallsson, bishop of Skálholt, as a bishop who worked tirelessly to strengthen the Christian life of his people.

Works and witness

• Studied in Paris and Lincoln, about 1153–1159
• Founded Iceland's first Augustinian monastery at Þykkvabær in 1168
• Bishop of Skálholt (elected 1174, consecrated 1178)
• Remains translated to Skálholt Cathedral in 1198

Patron of

Iceland

References

• Vatican, John Paul II homily at Reykjavik, 4 June 1989 (vatican.va)
• Vatican, John Paul II general audience, 14 June 1989 (vatican.va)
• Britannica, Skalholt, Iceland
• Catholic World Report, Who is St. Thorlak, the patron of Iceland? (2024)

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.