Oliver Plunkett was born
in Ireland in 1629. He was educated by his relative Patrick Plunkett
who was Abbot of the Benedictine monastery of Saint Mary's in Dublin
and later became Bishop of Ardagh and Meath. In 1645 Oliver went to
Rome and became a student of the Irish College there. He was ordained
a priest in 1654 after graduating with a degree in civil and canon
law from the University of the Sapienza in Rome. Plunkett stayed in
Rome, teaching theology at the College of the Propaganda Fidei and
acting as the Roman representative of the bishops of Ireland. In 1669
he was appointed Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland by
Pope Clement IX. From 1673 onwards Plunkett lived under constant
danger of arrest and in circumstances of great hardship and poverty
in hiding while at the same time doing his best to carry on his
pastoral duties. In 1679 Plunkett was arrested and imprisoned in
Dublin for alleged treason. On 16 July 1681 he was executed by
beheading at Tyburn, becoming the last Catholic to be martyred there
for their faith. Plunkett was beatified on Pentecost Sunday in 1920
and was canonised in October 1975, becoming the first Irish saint in
almost 700 years, after the requirement for a second miracle was
waived by Pope Paul VI. In 1997 Plunkett was made a patron saint for
peace and reconciliation in Ireland.
Saint Oliver Plunkett, pray for us.
Also on this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:
At Nicopolis in Armenia, the birthday of the holy martyrs Januarius and Pelagia, who for four days were racked, torn with iron claws and pieces of earthenware, and thus achieved their martyrdom.
In the territory of Sens, St. Sidronius, martyr.
At Iconium, St. Marcian, martyr, who obtained the palm of martyrdom by many torments under the governor Perennius.
At Sida in Pamphylia, St. Cindeus, priest, in the time of the emperor Diocletian and the governor Stratonicus. After suffering many torments, he was thrown into the fire, but remaining uninjured he yielded up his soul in prayer.
At Brescia, the holy martyrs Savinus and Cyprian.
At Bergamo, St. John, a bishop, who was killed by the Arians for defending the Catholic faith.
At Cordova, St. Abundius, a priest, crowned with martyrdom while preaching against the sect of Muhammed.
In the territory of Poitiers, St. Sabinus, confessor.
And in other places, many other holy martyrs, confessors and virgins.
Thanks be to God.
Saint Oliver Plunkett, pray for us.
Also on this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:
At Nicopolis in Armenia, the birthday of the holy martyrs Januarius and Pelagia, who for four days were racked, torn with iron claws and pieces of earthenware, and thus achieved their martyrdom.
In the territory of Sens, St. Sidronius, martyr.
At Iconium, St. Marcian, martyr, who obtained the palm of martyrdom by many torments under the governor Perennius.
At Sida in Pamphylia, St. Cindeus, priest, in the time of the emperor Diocletian and the governor Stratonicus. After suffering many torments, he was thrown into the fire, but remaining uninjured he yielded up his soul in prayer.
At Brescia, the holy martyrs Savinus and Cyprian.
At Bergamo, St. John, a bishop, who was killed by the Arians for defending the Catholic faith.
At Cordova, St. Abundius, a priest, crowned with martyrdom while preaching against the sect of Muhammed.
In the territory of Poitiers, St. Sabinus, confessor.
And in other places, many other holy martyrs, confessors and virgins.
Thanks be to God.
