Hemming of Turku

Blessed Hemming of Turku (1290–1366) was a Swedish Roman Catholic bishop who served as the bishop of Turku from 1338 until his death in 1366. He was born in Sweden though relocated to Finland following his appointment as bishop. He became a popular figure in the diocese for his staunch dedication to the educational and spiritual needs of the faithful. He was also a close friend of Saint Bridget of Sweden. During his studies he knew the future Pope Clement VI as one of his classmates.

The cause of sainthood opened under Pope Alexander VI in 1497 which later resulted in his beatification by Pope Leo X in 1514. Pope Clement VII was to preside over his canonization as a saint in 1530 but the Reformation halted all plans to do so.

Life Hemming was born in Uppsala in 1290 to middle-class parents who had connections to the nobles of Sweden.

He studied in Uppsala and later relocated to France where he studied in the University of Paris around the 1320s. Cardinal Marcello Semeraro told Helsinki Bishop Raimo Goyarrola in January 2024 that the canonization cause is advancing.

Hemming remains the patron of Turku and is the patron against both danger and illness.