Saint Kjeld of Viborg

Kjeld or Ketil (Latin: Chetillus, Ketillus, Danish: Keld, Kjeld, Ketil; fl. 1100–1150) was a 12th-century Danish clergyman. He is venerated as a saint in Denmark, by both Catholics and Danish Lutherans. Kjeld was born in the early 12th century to wealthy parents, who lived on a farm in the Randers area. It was soon decided that he should have a future in the church. He studied in Lübeck. Bishop Eskil of Viborg ordained him and persuaded Kjeld to joined the Augustinian canons at the cathedral chapter. The canons of the cathedral chapter were in charge of the worship services at the cathedral, and assisted the bishop in his administrative work. Kjeld was elected as head of the cathedral chapter school and around 1145 he was elected dean of the canons. Kjeld was apparently a very caring, generous, and compassionate man who gave all he managed for the sick, poor, and needy. It is told in his biography that when Viborg city in 1145 was threatened by fire, Kjeld ran to the tower of the cathedral, where he prayed fervently to God to spare the city and the church, after which the fire raging slowed noticeably. On one occasion, while traveling to Lund, he was captured by Slavs and had to pay a ransom. Arriving at his destination, he was reimbursed. The archbishop gave him his ring, and the king gave him much gold -all of which Kjeld ended up distributing to the poor. Despite the fact that the canons had chosen Kjeld as their dean, there soon arose disputes, apparently because they did not like his generous distribution of the cathedral chapter funds to the poor. The canons elected a new dean and Kjeld moved to Aalborg for a while. Though Kjeld was popular in Aalborg he longed for spreading the Christian faith and the ability to achieve martyrdom among the Wends. He went on a pilgrimage to Rome, where he visited the tombs of the Apostles and had an audience with Pope Eugene III (1145–1153).