St. Thorlak

Thorlak Thorhallsson was born into a farming family in Iceland in 1133. He was known for his intelligence as a child and taught himself to read. His parents, though poor farmers, encouraged his intellect and ensured that he received an education. He was ordained a deacon at the age of 15 and a priest around the age of 18 then travelled to Paris to study the Rule of St. Augustine. He then studied canon law the Augustinian Priory in Lincoln, England. In 1165, he returned to Iceland and founded a monastery.

He became a bishop and worked to promote morality as well as eradiate clerical abuses such as simony.

He died Dec. 23, 1193. During the Reformation, Thorlak’s relics were scattered. The only known remaining relic of his is in the Faroe Islands.

It has been suggested that Thorlak might today be labeled on the autistic spectrum, citing his focused interests, his failure to initiate social interactions or conversations, and his strict adherence to routines, even beyond the prescribed rules of the Augustinian Rule. The community noted that as a child Thorlak was “wise beyond his years” and would rather engage in reading and theology than play. Throughout his life he was known to be reserved and desired to return to monastic life while serving as a bishop. Whether he was autistic or just an introvert better suited for a monastic life, he has started to gain devotion as a patron for those with autism, as he can serve as an example of how all types of people can serve in the Church, even in positions of leadership and reform.

While local tradition venerated him, Thorlak was not declared a saint until 1984. He is the patron saint of Iceland, fishermen, and recently, people with autism. His feast day is December 23.