St. Oliver Plunkett

On Veteran's Day for the past few years, I have shared the stories of Saints who were in some way connected with the military. However, as my sister expressed so well in a recent post, this day was originally designated Armistice Day and shouldn't we take some time to celebrate and seek peace? So, in honor of Donna, today's Saint is the Patron Saint of Peace and Reconciliation.

St. Oliver Plunkett (or Plunket) was born in Ireland in 1625. As an aspirant to the Priesthood during the time of the Irish Confederate Wars, which divided the country along ethnic and religious lines, Oliver went to Rome to attend seminary. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1654. The Catholic cause had been defeated in Ireland, resulting in outlawing the public practice of the faith. Because of this Oliver was unable to return home for many years.

In 1669, he was named Archbishop of Armagh and was finally able to return to Ireland in1670. A time of religious toleration enabled him to minister to his flock. He tackled drunkenness among the clergy, confirmed 48,000 Catholics in 4 years and established a Jesuit College. A year after the college was founded, there were 150 students enrolled, at least 40 of them were Protestant making this the first integrated school in Ireland.

In 1678, the so-called Popish Plot led to further anti-Catholic action in England and Ireland. Oliver Plunkett was accused of plotting a French invasion. He was arrested and faced a series of trials that were a real joke as the primary prosecution witnesses were wanted men themselves and failed to show up for court. Despite this, Archbishop Plunkett was found guilty of high treason in June 1681 "for promoting the Roman faith", and was condemned to death. He was hanged, drawn and quartered on July 1.

Oliver Plunkett was beatified in 1920 and canonized in 1975 - the first new Irish Saint in almost 700 years. In 1997 Plunkett was made a patron saint for peace and reconciliation in Ireland, adopted by the prayer group campaigning for peace in Ireland, "St. Oliver Plunkett for Peace and Reconciliation". His feast day is July 1.