Charles Schilling was a Norwegian Barnabite priest and painter born in Oslo in 1835. Originally an atheist, he converted to Catholicism while studying art in Düsseldorf at the age of nineteen. After his conversion, he eventually abandoned his painting career to focus on prayer and charitable activities. He was ordained a priest in Bourges, France, in 1875 and served as a spiritual director for the Barnabite Order. During his final years in Mouscron, Belgium, his reputation for holiness earned him the nicknames "the tall saint" and "the saint of Mouscron."
Life and service
After entering the Catholic Church in 1854, Schilling dedicated himself to religious life. He worked across France, Italy, and Belgium as a member of the Clerics Regular of St Paul. His transition from an artist to a cleric marked a significant shift toward spiritual leadership, where he guided others through his role as a spiritual director.
Veneration and recognition
Following his death in 1907, many people visited his grave. In 1936, his remains were transferred to a side chapel in the Barnabite Church. He is the only Norwegian cleric from the post-Reformation era to have an official cause for sainthood. Having been declared a Servant of God and later Venerable, he remains a figure of pilgrimage.