Bishop prays for Norway’s King Harald V, hails ‘stable pillar’
King Harald V of Norway, Europeʼs oldest reigning monarch, died on Aug. 28 at Oslo University Hospital. He was 89.
A Requiem Mass for King Harald will be celebrated at St. Olavʼs Cathedral in Trondheim on Aug. 29 at noon, and lauds and vespers will also be offered for the late monarch.
EWTN Norway is streaming the services on its website and YouTube channel.
Within hours of the kingʼs death, Bishop Erik Varden of Trondheim published a tribute on behalf of Norwegian Catholics. He commended Harald to Godʼs mercy and offered prayers for Queen Sonja, the royal family, and the new King Haakon VIII.
Varden, a Trappist monk who also serves as apostolic administrator of Tromsø and president of the Nordic Bishops' Conference, opened his reflection with the ninth-century “Commendatio Animae” — the Churchʼs prayer for the dying.
“Go forth, Christian soul, from this world in the name of God, the Almighty Father, who created you; in the name of Jesus Christ, the living Son of God, who suffered for you; and in the name of the Holy Spirit, who was poured out upon you,” the prayer begins.
Varden wrote that the prayer reminds the faithful that death is a transition “from life to Life.”
Prayers for the new king
Varden described Harald as a monarch who embodied the nation in an exemplary way, giving Norwegians a sense of being seen and cared for.
“He was so completely and utterly king, devoted to the people, that it was as if no ego stood in the way,” the bishop wrote. “In this way, he drew near to us in a comforting way.”
Harald “has spoken wisely to us, with a subtle sense of humor that we will miss,” Varden added.
The bishop placed the kingʼs passing in the context of the ancient acclamation “The King is dead; long live the King,” and wrote that the monarchy stands as “a stable pillar in society” that represents continuity.
“In a time as uncertain as ours, that is a comfort,” he wrote.
Varden called on Norwegian Catholics to pray for King Haakon VIII. He asked the faithful for “blessings and wisdom” and called on Catholics to stand loyally by the new sovereign.
Closing his tribute, the bishop invoked the intercession of St. Olav, Norwayʼs patron saint.
King Haraldʼs reign
Harald V was born on Feb. 21, 1937, and ascended the throne on Jan. 17, 1991, succeeding his father, King Olav V. He reigned for 35 years.
A three-time Olympic yachtsman, Harald modernized the Norwegian royal house. Later in his life, he refused to abdicate, saying he had taken a lifelong oath before the Norwegian Parliament.
He had experienced multiple health problems in recent years.
Harald is survived by Queen Sonja, 89, his wife of 57 years, and their two children: Princess Märtha Louise, 54, and the new King Haakon VIII, 53. His granddaughter, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, is now next in line to the throne.
This report draws on coverage by EWTN Norway and reporting by Pål Johannes Nes.
