The Reykjavik Diocese
The Catholic Church in Iceland is one diocese, divided into the following parishes:
Christ the King Parish (Reykjavík, West Iceland) The Parish Church is the Cathedral of Christ the King in Landakot. The parish was established as a missionary office in 1860 and led the mission across the country. The Bishop residence is in Reykjavík. The cathedral is Christ the King Cathedral in Landakot. The cathedral is also a ‘Basilica’, the only one in Scandinavia.
St. Francis of Assisi Parish (West Iceland) “The Chapel of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is the parish church. It is located in Stykkishólmur on the Snæfellsnes peninsula In addition, there are regular congregational activities in other municipalities. The parish was founded September 1st, 2018.
St. Mary Parish (South Iceland) The parish church is St. Mary´s Church in Breiðholt in Reykjavík. The parish was founded in 1985. Masses are held regularly in Selfoss and in other municipalities, where churches of the Lutheran Church or other community centres are borrowed.
St. Joseph Parish (Hafnarfjörður) The parish church is St. Joseph´s church in Hafnarfjörður and Garðabær. The parish was founded in 1926. The Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matará, IVE assist the priests in congregational activities, especially in children’s education. They live in their own premises and have a chapel in their home. In addition a Carmelite convent is located in St. Joseph´s Parish. Since 1984 sisters from Poland live there. They devote themselves to prayer and meditation on the Word of God.
St. Peter Parish (North Iceland) The parish church is St. Peters´ Church in Akureyri. The parish was founded in 1953 and was a quasi-parish until 2000 when it became a full parish. In addition to daily services in Akureyri, in the parish church and in the Carmelite convent, there are congregational activities in other parts of North of Iceland. In Akureyri are Carmelite Sisters, who assist in congregational work and run a day care centre for young children. They have a chapel in their home as well as in Dalvík, where the order bought a house recently.
St. Thorlac Parish (East Iceland) The parish church is St. Thorlak´s Church in Reyðarfjörður. The parish was founded in 2007. In Reyðarfjörður is a Capuchin Monastery and three brothers from Slovakia are living there. In Egilsstaðir is the “Corpus Christi chapel.” It was blessed in 2009. A Catholic chapel is also in Höfn in Hornafjörður. It was consecrated in 2013 and dedicated to the Holy family and St. Jean-Marie Vianney. Masses are regularly held in other parts of East Iceland.
St. John Paul II Parish (South-West Iceland) The parish church is the church of St. John Paul II at Ásbrú in Reykjanesbær. The parish was founded in 2014. The parish is under the protection of St. John Paul II, who was canonized on April 27th, 2014. As he visited Iceland in 1989, he kissed Icelandic ground at Keflavík Airport, now belonging to the parish of St. John Paul II.
Mass times around Iceland
CATHOLIC MASS “The liturgy, in particular the Mass, is the summit to which tends all the activity of the Church and at the same time the source whence comes all her energy.” – Second Vatican (Sacrosanctum Concilium)
LANGUAGE Usually Icelandic language is used in sermons and rituals. But since a significant number of Catholics do not understand the language, there are regular Masses in Polish and English. There are also Masses in Lithuanian in St. Joseph´s Church in Hafnarfjörður.
“DIASPORA” The Catholic Church in Iceland is partly a “diaspora” or a scattered church. This means that many Catholic people live scattered throughout the country, often far from Catholic churches or chapels. Because of this, priests and sisters travel from place to place to visit administer and distribute the sacraments.