CATHOLIC CHURCH IN FINLAND
It was St. Henrik who first brought Christianity to Finland and later became the first bishop in the country. Born in England, Henrik was a missionary bishop, who lived in Uppsala. In 1155, King Erik of Sweden together with Henrik organised the so-called first crusade to Finland to spread Christianity and set up parishes there. When Erik returned to Sweden, Henrik stayed on in Finland to continue his work. The following winter, on 18th or 19th of January 1156, he suffered a martyr's death and was buried in the church of Nousiainen. Later, on 18th of June 1300, his remains were transferred to the newly built Cathedral of Turku.
Catholic life flourished in Finland during the Middle Ages, as is evident from the many grey stone churches still to be found in South-Western Finland. The last Catholic bishop of Finland died in 1522, and for over two hundred years Catholic faith was outlawed in the country.
The first Catholic parishes were permitted to be created again only after Finland was annexed to Russia as an autonomous grand principality in 1809. After Finland won independence in 1917, an apostolic vicariate was established, which in 1955 was elevated to the status of a diocese.
The diocese of Helsinki comprises seven parishes covering the whole of Finland. There are approximately 10.000 Catholics in the country, dispersed over the vast territory. Spiritual care in the parishes is mainly in the hands of Sacred Heart fathers (SCJ or Dehonians) and Neocathecumenals. The Catholic bishop of Helsinki belongs together with the bishops of Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland to the Nordic Bishops' Conference. The Catholic Church in Finland is a full member of the Ecumenical Council of Finland. In places where there is no Catholic church, the Holy Mass is often celebrated in Lutheran or Orthodox churches.
PARISH OF ST. OLAV IN JYVÄSKYLÄ
The parishes of Viborg and Terijoki, situated in Carelia, were joined together after the Second World War and relocated first in Lahti. A more central place was sought, and Jyväskylä was chosen as the new hometown for the parish.
In 1943, a house was bought in Jyväskylä, where a small chapel was set up. The parish of St. Olav was officially created on the 1st October 1949.
The number of parishioners grew little by little, and the chapel became too small. The church of St. Olav was consecrated on 26th August 1962. It was designed by architect Olavi Kivimaa. The stained glass windows are the work of artist René Groenen.
The parish covers the main part of the Central and Eastern Finland. There are about 450 members in the parish, living scattered over the large area. This requires extensive travel by the parish priest, who celebrate mass and give catechetical instruction in many localities.