Thorlak of Iceland, Bishop of Skálholt

Today the Greater Church commemorates Thorlak of Iceland, a bishop whose life of prayer sustained his care for the poor and his patient labor for the holiness of his people.

Thorlak was born in Iceland in 1133. His family had distinguished ancestors but little money. He received his early education at Oddi and became a priest while still a young man. Later he traveled abroad to study at Paris and Lincoln. He returned to Iceland with learning that he put at the service of the Church.

Thorlak devoted himself to study, prayer, and pastoral ministry. His family urged him to marry, but he embraced a life of celibacy. At Thykkvibaer he helped establish a community of canons regular: clergy who shared their possessions and ordered their common life under a religious rule. He became their abbot. His mother, Halla, lived with the community and cared for its household.

Prayer gave a steady shape to his days. He began with the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, and a hymn to Jesus our Redeemer. Beyond the appointed services, he prayed fifty psalms each day. His learning and discipline became gifts that other Christians came to share.

When fire broke out at the monastery, Thorlak came and blessed the burning house. The flames subsided.

In 1174, Thorlak was chosen to become bishop of Skálholt. Four years later, Archbishop Eysteinn of Nidaros consecrated him. Thorlak carried the discipline of his religious community into the burdens of the bishop’s office.

He sought to end the buying and selling of spiritual offices and to free the Church’s property from the control of powerful laymen. He required celibacy among his clergy and defended fidelity in marriage. His efforts met resistance. Among those he confronted was the chieftain Jon Loftsson, who kept Thorlak’s sister Ragnheidur as his mistress while his wife was still living. Neither family ties nor a man’s power put him beyond the bishop’s correction. When correction failed, he used the Church’s discipline, including excommunication. Thorlak made some progress, but he did not accomplish all he sought.

He also cared for those whose poverty left them little power. On great festivals he gathered poor men, washed their feet, dried them with his hair, and gave them alms. He followed the Lord who had knelt before his disciples.

Thorlak’s health often failed him. After fifteen years as bishop, he wished to return to the religious life. Before he could do so, his final illness came. He asked those around him to forgive whatever wrong he had done them, and freely forgave them in return. He received anointing and continued in prayer.

On December 23, 1193, after the evening service, Thorlak asked for a drink. As it was brought, he sank back against his pillows and died.

The people of Iceland continued to seek his prayers. Five years after his death, the national assembly received his commemoration, and his feast became part of the country’s Christian life.

Thorlak brought his prayer into the duties entrusted to him. May Christ teach us such faithfulness, joining mercy to courage and giving us patience for the work we cannot finish.