About Norway:
Norway is one of the world’s northernmost countries; in fact, the mainland reaches beyond the Arctic Circle. The distance from north to south is 1,100 miles (1,750 km), but the rugged coastline measures more than twice the distance around the equator. In size, Norway is 148,726 square miles (385,199 square km); a bit larger than Germany and approximately the same size as the U.S. state of New Mexico.
The kingdoms of Norway and Denmark were politically united from 1380 AD to 1814 AD, after which the two countries separated and Norway became an independent country.
Despite being dominated by forests and mountains, Norway has a rich landscape diversity, particularly in the southern regions, including the island territories of Svalbard and Jan Mayen.
With population of 5.572 million as of 2024, Norway has the second lowest population density in Europe (Iceland has the lowest).
History of the Catholic Church in Norway:
Certainly one of the most historic figures the country produced was Olaf II Haraldsson (born c. 995 AD), who was King of Norway from 1015 AD to his death in 1030 AD. He was the first effective king of all Norway, who achieved a 12-year respite from Danish domination and extensively increased the acceptance of Christianity.
He was canonized at Nidaros (Trondheim) by Bishop Grimketel, one year after his death in the Battle of Stiklestad on 29 July 1030. Pope Alexander III confirmed Olaf’s local canonization in 1164, making him a recognized saint of the Catholic Church, and Olaf started to be known as Rex Perpetuus Norvegiae – “eternal king of Norway”, becoming known as Saint Olaf, Norway’s patron saint. His remains were enshrined in Nidaros Cathedral, built over his burial site. His sainthood encouraged the widespread adoption of Christianity by Scandinavia’s Vikings/Norsemen.
We celebrate the Feast of Saint Olaf on July 29.
Norway during the reformation:
Catholicism was banned in Norway when the reformation was imposed in 1537, establishing Lutheranism as the state religion of Denmark–Norway. Catholic priests and bishops were persecuted, monastic orders were suppressed, and the crown took over church property. Some churches were plundered and abandoned and Catholic priests facing severe punishment, including execution.
Religious Tolerance returns to Norway:
The faith survived in isolated pockets until religious tolerance was granted in 1843, leading to the establishment of parishes in Oslo, Bergen, Alta, and Troms.
Today, The Catholic Church in Norway is small but diverse, with 70% of its roughly 151,000–230,000 members born abroad, reflecting global influences. Immigration from Chile, the Philippines, and from a wide range of other countries began in the 1970’s. Among the largest groups are Vietnamese and Tamils.
Parishes in urban areas like Oslo, Stavanger, and Bergen are particularly active. The country is divided into three Church districts: the Diocese of Oslo and the prelatures of Trondheim and Tromsø, whose bishops participate in the Nordic Bishops Conference. The country is further divided into 38 parishes and three chapel districts.
Four religious orders are in Norway: the Cistercians, Dominicans, the Poor Clares, and the Trappistines. In 2007, monks from the Abbey of Cîteaux (originally Cistercian, but later Trappist)) dedicated a new monastery at Frol, near Levanger in Nord-Trøndelag, naming it Munkeby Mariakloster.
Trappistine nuns, likewise, bought land near the ruins of a pre-Reformation monastery on the island of Tautra in the Trondheimsfjord, moved to the site, and built a new cloister, workplace, guesthouse, and chapel, calling the new monastery Tautra Mariakloster.
In addition to these four, 17 other orders are also working in the country for instance the Sisters of St. Francis Xavier (Franciskussøstre), which is a unique order as it was founded in Norway in 1901. The Benedictines, who had a monastery on the island of Selja in the Medieval ages, were asked to return to Norway. In the 20th century, Catholic pilgrimages were revived, and the Benedictine vision of Selja has been rekindled in modern times.
There are no Catholic hospitals or orphanages, but the Catholic Church operates primary and secondary schools in Oslo, Arendal and Bergen, and Bodø.
Pope John Paul II made his historic visit to Norway from June 2 to June 4, 1989. This was the first-ever papal visit to the country, marking a significant moment in Norway’s religious history, where the Catholic population was small (around 28,000 at the time, mostly immigrants) and the Lutheran Church dominated as the state religion. The trip was part of a broader 42nd apostolic journey to the Nordic countries, including Iceland, Finland, Denmark, and Sweden, aimed at fostering ecumenism and highlighting shared Christian heritage.
Catholic places of interest in Norway:
Levanger: Munkeby Abbey
Oslo: Norway’s largest city, and its capitol, Oslo has a population a bit over 709,000 as of 2025. The main Catholic church in Oslo is Saint Olav’s Church , serves the largest concentration of Catholics in Norway (42.5% of the country’s registered Catholics live in the greater Oslo area).
Tromsø: The Church of Our Lady.
Trondheim: Saint Olaf’s Cathedral
The Saint Olav Pilgrimage Route: The Saint Olav Pilgrimage to Nidaros Cathedral is a growing attraction for Catholic pilgrims, especially young adults who climb nearby mountains like Galdhøpiggen to celebrate Mass during pilgrimages.
Traveling to Norway:
By air: Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL) is Norway’s main international gateway and the second busiest airport in Scandinavia. It handles the vast majority of international passenger traffic for the country.
By sea: Numerous ferries connect Norway with other European countries, including daily crossings from Denmark, Sweden and Germany. Popular cruise lines visiting Norway include Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Viking Ocean Cruises, Princess Cruises, Hurtigruten, Havila Voyages, Saga Cruises, Oceania Cruises, and Ambassador Cruise Line.
Despite the similar latitudes, the January average temperature in Norway can be more than 18°F (10°C ) warmer than in Alaska. However, there is massive variation across the country. The average daytime high in winter in most Norwegian cities hovers at freezing or just below. Coastal areas could even enjoy an average winter high temperature above freezing, although there will be many days when the mercury drops below freezing.
It’s important to remember that even at lower temperatures, sun damage is a risk: that’s mainly because of the longer days in the summer, whereas in the winter the sun reflects off the snow which can also lead to sun damage. Good quality sunglasses are essential!