Saint Oliver Plunkett

Today we are celebrating the Feast day of Saint Oliver Plunkett. The English martyred, Oliver Plunkett for defending the faith in his native Ireland during a period of severe persecution.

Born in County Meath in 1629, Oliver studied for the priesthood in Rome and was ordained there in 1654. After some years of teaching and service to the poor of Rome he was appointed Archbishop of Armagh in Ireland. Four years later, in 1673, a new wave of anti-Catholic persecution began, forcing Archbishop Plunkett to do his pastoral work in secrecy and disguise and to live in hiding. Meanwhile, many of his priests were sent into exile, schools were closed, Church services had to be held in secret, and convents and seminaries were suppressed. As archbishop, Plunkett was viewed as ultimately responsible for any rebellion or political activity among his parishioners.

Archbishop Plunkett was arrested and imprisoned in Dublin Castle in 1679, but his trial was moved to London. After deliberating for 15 minutes, a jury found him guilty of fomenting revolt. He was hanged, drawn, and quartered in July 1681.

Pope Paul VI canonized Oliver Plunkett in 1975.

Reflection

Most people want to do the right thing. Usually if we are doing the wrong thing (speeding, gossiping, being selfish), we know it, deep down. Of course, we don’t like to admit it to others or to ourselves. Sometimes the right thing, what God wants us to do, is difficult to discern. The heart is the focus of life and love. What is most loving, most life-giving in this case. We need to search within our hearts, and search the Scriptures, and ask God’s help in sorting that out. Your heart knows the precepts of the Lord, deep down.