Saint Olaf, King of Norway

King Olaf reigned over Norway for 13 rather peaceful years and he tried to convert his people using force, if needed. Conversion by the sword was how earlier medieval monarchs did it: for example, Charlemagne who compelled the Saxons to accept baptism, and St. Vladimir who converted Russia. Olaf was acting in good faith, fighting as he so well knew how, in the battle against Satan and the powers of hell. He would fight for his faith as before he had fought for his clan.

Most memorable among his accomplishments as King was the development of what came to be known as St. 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.

This new concept, equality before the Law, and the Christian ideas which surrounded it, were a bit too much for some of the clan leaders. Lured with gifts from a foreign king, they turned traitor toward Olaf and supported Canute of Denmark in his successful attempt to unseat him. For two years, Olaf lived as an exile in Russia, praying and fasting. Then one night in a dream, he heard God calling him to return to Norway, to reconquer it for Christ. And so with a small band of warriors, Olaf re-entered his homeland, but outnumbered two to one, met his death on July 29, 1030. Immediately he was revered as a martyr and his tomb became a holy shrine. Within a year, Olaf was declared a saint by the local bishop, and the faith which he had labored so hard during his lifetime to instill, with little effect, began to flourish and grow after his death. What the sword couldn’t do even in “good faith, ”the Spirit did. Norway became Catholic.

In Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 13, verse 44, we read: “The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant’s search for fine pearls. When he found one really valuable pearl, he went back and put up for sale all that he had and bought it.” Once Olaf found Jesus Christ, his heart yearned to serve none but Him, as best he knew how, willing to sacrifice all. In I Kings, chapter 3, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream: “Ask something of me,” the Lord said. Solomon asked for an understanding heart that he might know right from wrong, so he could judge his people wisely. Olaf did not pray for riches, but for the wisdom in serving God as Christ would want him to.

Pondering our patron St. Olaf, we stand before the mystery of God, grateful that God works with vessels of clay, calling them and us to know Him, love Him and serve Him always, yes, always in the context of our times. “For we know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who love Him.” (Romans 8:28)