St. Oliver Plunkett

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Feastday: July 11
Patron of Peace and Reconciliation in Ireland
1629 - 1681

Oliver Plunkett was born in Loughcrew in County Meath, Ireland on November 1, 1629. In 1647, he went to study for the priesthood in the Irish College in Rome. On January 1, 1654, he was ordained a priest in the Propaganda College in Rome.

Due to religious persecution in his native land, it was not possible for him to return to minister to his people. Oliver taught in Rome until 1669, when he was appointed Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of Ireland. Archbishop Plunkett soon established himself as a man of peace and, with religious fervor, set about visiting his people, establishing schools, ordaining priests, and confirming thousands.

1673 brought a renewal of religious persecution, and bishops were banned by edict. Archbishop Plunkett went into hiding, suffering a great deal from cold and hunger. His many letters showed his determination not to abandon his people, but to remain a faithful shepherd. He thanked God "Who gave us the grace to suffer for the chair of Peter." The persecution eased a little and he was able to move more openly among his people. In 1679 he was arrested and falsely charged with treason. The government in power could not get him convicted at his trial in Dundalk. He was brought to London and was unable to defend himself because he was not given time to bring his own witnesses from Ireland. He was put on trial, and with the help of perjured witnesses, was sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn. With deep serenity of soul, he was prepared to die, calmly rebutting the charge of treason, refusing to save himself by giving false evidence against his brother bishops. Oliver Plunkett publicly forgave all those who were responsible for his death on July 1, 1681. On October 12, 1975, he was canonized a saint. His feast day is July 11.

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1 - 7 of 7 Comments

Thomas Grady
3 months ago
St. Oliver's brother Archbishop , John Brennan of Cashel saw the roof of his cathedral torn off by the Baron Inchiquin during penal times . Inchiquin is the substitute name for the O'Brien who conformed , as the Irish say , to save his position. Brennan lived in hiding and disguise, ministering to his flock as did St. Oliver . Brennan is a collateral cousin of mine. A terrible period in the reign of otherwise decent King Charles II - a kind of Pilate figure .
Sue Gray
8 months ago
You can read about Oliver Plunkett at the Clink Prison in London. Glad he's in heaven now.
jordan
1 year ago
i am related to oliver plunkett
Alan
1 year ago
I woke up this morning and for some reason I was thinking of St Oliver and the region where he was born loughcrew.
I was thinking a mass should be said on an old mass rock on top of loughcrew hill.
I am sure St Oliver would have said mass here when he was in hiding.
Then when I read it was in fact his feast day today, I was amazed.
The lord speaks softly I will speak to a priest and organize his wish.
irene sayer
1 year ago
Until last weekend I had not heard of St Oliver Plunkett, perhaps because I am a Methodist and know about few Catholic Saints. However I am grateful for a friend introducing me.
Eamon Reilly
2 years ago
I'd like to see a lot more about his life on here. Am a bit disappointed with the brevity of this article compared to ,say, Saint Therese's life story.
JASON
2 years ago
WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO SEE AT A YOUNG AGE ST OLIVERS HEAD IN DROGHEDA AND IT LEFT A LASING EFFECT

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