Deepertruth: Stand In The Gap With Us And Saint Oliver Plunkett

Stand In The Gap With Us And  Saint Oliver Plunkett 7/2/2024.  “Almighty Father, I place the Precious Blood of Jesus before my lips before I pray, that my prayers may be purified before they ascend to Your divine altar.”  

Oliver Plunkett, a 17th-century Irish martyr, became Ireland's first new saint in nearly 700 years after being canonized in 1975. In 1997, he was deemed the country's patron saint for peace and reconciliation.

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.

In 1679, Archbishop Plunkett was arrested and falsely charged with treason. This man of peace was accused of plotting to bring 20 000 French soldiers to Ireland. He was taken to London to stand trial and because he was not given time to arrange his defense. Archbishop Plunkett was found guilty and sentenced to death.

The name of today’s saint is especially familiar to the Irish and the English—and with good reason. 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.