Saint Thorlak

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. 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 saint did not receive official recognition from the Catholic Church until 14 January 1984, when John Paul II canonized him and declared him the patron saint of Iceland. His feast day is 23 December, when Thorlak's Mass is celebrated in Iceland.

Life Born in 1133 at Hlíðarendi in the see of Skálholt in southern Iceland, Thorlak was from an agrarian family.

Canonization and veneration Thorlak's life and dozens of his miracles are described in great detail in the Icelandic saga Þorláks saga helga (the Saga of Saint Thorlak), republished in Icelandic on the occasion of John Paul II's visit to Iceland in 1989. It seems likely that Thorlak's informal 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".

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. The Mass of St. Thorlak (Þorláksmessa; ) is an Icelandic holiday celebrated on 23 December. The day is also celebrated in the Faroe Islands, where it is called Tollaksmessa . In modern times, Þorláksmessa has become part of Christmas, or the last day of preparations before Christmas.

A group based in the U.S. state of New York has advocated for Thorlak becoming the patron saint of people with autism.

Thorlak is also venerated by the Evangelical-Lutheran Diocese of North America.