St. Olav's Cathedral in Oslo

This is a Roman Catholic Cathedral. It was first opened in 1856, but wasn’t consecrated until 1896 because there was no Roman Catholic bishop in Norway at that time. It’s situated in Hammersborg, close to Our Savior’s Cemetery, which was considered to be in the countryside outside of Oslo. Hammersborg was in those days seen as a suburb to Christiania, the name of Oslo between 1624 and 1925.

The building of this church was funded by private donations and fundraising abroad. Queen Josephine, the consort of King Oscar I of Sweden, who was a Catholic herself, was the most generous donor. Remember, this was when Norway was in in union with Sweden (1814-1905)

In 1953 the Roman Catholic Diocese was established. St. Olav’s Church was chosen as the episcopal seat, and therefor elevated to rank of Cathedral. In 1989 Pope John Paul II visited Scandinavia, and also this cathedral.

Norway was a Catholic country from St. Olav brought Christianity to the Norwegians around 1015, when he became king. This ended with Martin Luther’s reformation in 1537.

St. Olav was king of Norway from 1015 until 1028, when he was chased out of the country. Many believed he wanted to make Norway into a Christian country to save souls. Well, he might have, but there was another reason for it. The Norwegian earls had a lot of power in those days. If Norway became a Christian country, the power of the earls would be weakened, and the king and the Church would have the real power.

Olav didn’t spread the Word of God by telling people about Gods love, grace and salvation. He gave most of them an option between being baptized and losing their life. Therefor hundreds, possibly thousands were baptized, but continued to worship the old Norse gods in secret. It took several hundred years before the old gods were forgotten.

Olav was killed at Stiklestad, 95 km (59 miles) north of Trondheim, on the 29^th of July 1030. He is buried in Nidarosdomen in Trondheim. Well, most of him is buried there, that which has not been handed out as relics. A showcase containing St. Olav’s arm, has been on display in the Oslo cathedral since 1860. Or that is what guide books tells us, but I couldn't find it.