St Oliver Plunkett was the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland. He was born in Loughcrew, Oldcastle on 1st November 1625 and was ordained a priest in Rome in January 1654. He was appointed a professor of Theology in Rome until his appointment as Archbishop of Armagh. Following his ordination as Archbishop in Belgium in December 1669, he returned to Ireland where he maintained his duties in the face of English persecution. He was arrested and tried for treason in London. He was hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn on 1 July 1681, and became the last Roman Catholic martyr to die in England. Oliver Plunkett was beatified in 1920 and canonised in 1975, the first new Irish saint for almost seven hundred years.
This year marks 400th anniversary of the birth of St Oliver Plunkett on 1st November 1625, and the 50th anniversary of his canonisation in 1975.
PRAYER TO ST OLIVER PLUNKETT
Glorious martyr, Saint Oliver Plunkett,
who willingly gave your life for the faith,
help us also to be strong in our faith.
By your intercession and example
may all hatred and bitterness be banished
from the hearts of men and women.
May the peace of Christ reign in our hearts
as it did in your heart even at the moment of your death.
Amen.