St. Oliver Plunkett

Today we celebrate and remember the life that was lived by St. Oliver Plunkett. St. Oliver was martyred because he had defended the faith in his home which was Ireland during a time in history of large and intense persecution.

St. Oliver was born on November 1, 1629 in Ireland. While St. Oliver was young he felt the calling to become a priest therefore he decided to study for the priesthood for a few years in Rome and St. Oliver was also ordained there during the year 1654. After St. Oliver had spent a few years teaching and serving the poor who lived in Rome he was appointed as Archbishop of Armagh in Ireland. Unfortunately four years later, during the year 1673, a very large wave of anti-Catholic persecution started to begin, and this wave had forced Archbishop Plunkett ( St. Oliver) to do majority of his pastoral work in secrecy and disguise and he also had to live in hiding. Meanwhile, many of his priests were sent into exile, and this led to many schools being closed, many Church services had to be held in secret, and many convents and seminaries were suppressed. As the archbishop during that time, St. Oliver was viewed as accountable and responsible for any rebellion activity among his parishioners.

Eventually St. Oliver was arrested and he was put into a prison which was located in Dublin Castle during the year 1679, eventually his trial was moved to London. After St. Oliver had been trialed, a jury found him “guilty” of starting up a revolt. St. Oliver was later hanged, drawn, and quartered during the July of the year 1681.

Pope Paul VI canonized St. Oliver in 1975. St. Oliver’s feast day is celebrated on July 1.

Prayer to St. Oliver

St. Oliver help us to find the strength and wisdom that we need to be strong in our faith even during hard times or moments of uncertainty. St. Oliver help us to overcome any obstacles that we may encounter during our lives so that we may be able to be successful and accomplish the Lord’s will.

Amen

St. Oliver pray for us

St. Joseph pray for us

May we continue to strengthen our journey to sainthood and keep others in our prayers.

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Works cited:

Information (read from, not taken):

Franciscan media. “Saint Oliver Plunkett. ”Saint Oliver Plunkett | Franciscan Media. Accessed July 2, 2021.

Images:

Saint Oliver Plunkett. July 2, 2021. Saint Oliver Plunkett - Google Search.