07/01/2026
St. Thorfinn was a Norwegian bishop who died in 1285 at the Cistercian monastery of TerDoest near Bruges. For many years, he was largely forgotten until over fifty years after his passing, when his tomb was discovered during construction. Remarkably, his tomb emitted a pleasant fragrance, leading to the discovery of a poem by Monk Walter de Muda that lauded Thorfinn's gentle kindness and strength.
Little is known about St. Thorfinn's life. He hailed from Trondhjem and may have served as a Canon at Nidaros Cathedral. In 1277, he witnessed the Tonsborg agreement, which affirmed the privileges of the clergy and the autonomy of episcopal elections.
However, conflicts between the Church and the state led King Eric to outlaw Thorfinn. After enduring hardships and surviving a shipwreck, Thorfinn found sanctuary at TerDoest Abbey, which was connected to the Norwegian Church. It is possible that he was a Cistercian from Tautra Abbey near Nidaros.
Before his death on January 8, 1285, Thorfinn traveled to Rome and drafted a will, bequeathing his modest possessions to his family and various religious institutions. After his death, miracles reported at his tomb sparked veneration, especially among the Cistercians in Bruges.
In recent years, Catholics in Norway have revived his memory, and his feast day is celebrated in Hamar on January 8th. St. Thorfinn is remembered for his holiness, kindness, and steadfast ethical principles, as celebrated in Walter de Muda's poetic tribute.