July 29: Saint Olaf of Norway

Let us all rejoice in the Lord on the feast of blessed Olaf, Norway’s eternal king. The angels exult over his martyrdom and praise the Son of God.

Today, July 29, we celebrate the feast day of Saint Olaf of Norway (955-1031), martyr, “eternal king” and patron saint of Norway. Through his efforts, faith, and miracles, Norway was brought to the faith. Unhappy with his efforts, Olaf was slain in a revolt by his people, earning him the martyrs’ crown in 1030.

Born Olaf Haraldsson, royalty was in the blood of the future saint. His father was King Harold Grenske of Norway, and Olaf was to follow in his footsteps. Referred to as “Olaf the Fat,” he spent his youth as a Norse raider until approximately age 15 when he was baptized at Rouen. At 18, Olaf traveled to England and offered his services to the king, fighting against the invading Danes. Following his father’s death, and his ascension to the throne, Olaf traveled home to Norway, and fought tirelessly to free his lands and people from the Danes and Swedes. Succeeding, he immediately requested that Christian missionaries from England be sent to Norway, and the faith began spreading across the land.

King Olaf ruled with certainty, reigning over Norway for 13 peaceful years. He tried to convert his people, using force if necessary as was common at the time. To Olaf, the fight for souls against Satan required force. But many of the noble class found his policies harsh and his were slow to accept the faith. In 1029, they rebelled against him, and siding with King Canute of Denmark, overthrew Olaf. He was exiled to Russia, where he held to his faith, and returned to Norway in 1031, only to be slain in battle.

Buried at the Cathedral of Trondheim, numerous miracles began being reported at his tombside, and he became especially revered and venerated there. His final resting place became a place of pilgrimage, and the people of Norway came to recognize him as the champion of Norwegian independence. He was canonized the patron saint of Norway in 1164. What the sword couldn’t do even in “good faith, ”the Spirit did. Norway became predominantly Catholic.

Most memorable among his accomplishments as King was the development of what came to be known as Saint Olaf’s Law. Ahead of its time, Olaf’s Law prescribed prayer to Christ for peace, required newborn babies to be allowed to live and not abandoned in fields or forests, slaves were to be ransomed each year, polygamy was forbidden, and severe penalties were exacted for rape and the kidnapping of women. Olaf himself traveled the length of Norway promoting his new Christian Law, and he insisted that it be applied equally upon both rich and poor.

Almighty, eternal God, you are the crown of kings and the triumph of martyrs. We know that your blessed martyr, Olaf, intercedes for us before your face. We praise your greatness in his death and we pray you, give us the crown of life that you have promised those who love you, through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Year 2: Day 210 of 365
Prayer Intentions: For fair treatment of all
Requested Intentions: For a family’s intentions (T); Successful examination results (B); Healing of a friend with cancer, for all those who help others (B); Healing and love (L); Grace and healing (V); Healing of a heart, consecration of a marriage (M); Health of a family, intentions of apostolate (H); For repentance (J); For a family in trouble (R); Healing, successful relationships for son, financial success (J); Success of a company (L); For a religious society (J); Healing of a husband, strength as a faithful caregiver (D); Healing of a son (T); Financial security, Healing and guidance (M); Healing of a heart and relationship (V); Employment for daughter (J); For a marriage that glorifies the Lord (K); Resolution of family situation, parents’ health (A); Positive results (C); For a son’s employment, faith, and relationships (S); Restored family relationships (A); Healthy conception and delivery of children (J); For a girlfriend’s recovery from a debilitating mental illness (J); For a daughter’s successful examination results (A); Occupational success, health and safety of family (S).