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The Archdiocese of Armagh have today, 12 February launched the start of a series of celebrations to commemorate Saint Oliver Plunkett who was born 500 years ago this year.
Born 1 November 1625 at Loughcrew in County Meath (although some give 1629 as the date). Oliver Plunkett went to the Irish College in Rome and was ordained a priest in 1654 becoming Archbishop of Armagh in 1669.
Found guilty of High Treason for promoting the Roman Catholic faith he was hung, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn, London in 1681. The martyr was Canonised by Pope Paul VI in 1975. Saint Oliver's head is on permanent display in St Peter's Church, Drogheda.
Today at St Peter's his successor Archbishop Eamon Martin launched #Oliver400 at a special service. "Back in the summer of 2019, on the 350th anniversary of the appointment of Saint Oliver Plunkett as Archbishop of Armagh, I was honoured to unveil a brand new sculpture of Saint Oliver in our Cathedral dedicated to Christian martyrs of “yesterday, today and tomorrow”. said Archbishop Martin.
"When I pulled off the red cloth to unveil the sculpture by the artist, Dony McManus, I was immediately struck by the way the sculpted face evokes Oliver’s courage and serenity in face of such awful condemnation and suffering. It is as if you see in Saint Oliver’s face, the face of Jesus.
"Fifty years ago, at his canonisation on 12 October 1975, Pope Paul VI said that Saint Oliver is “for the entire world, an authentic and outstanding example of the love of Christ ... He laid down his life out of love, and thereby freely associated himself in an intimate manner with the sufferings of Christ.”
Speaking about St Oliver's relic Archbishop Martin said "Nowhere of course has kept the memory of Saint Oliver alive like this historic town of Drogheda. Today, as we launch this anniversary year #Oliver400 I say, thank you Drogheda!
"Thank you in a special way to the Dominican sisters of the Siena convent who lovingly received the precious relic of the head of Saint Oliver Plunkett, and tenderly cared for it over several centuries - often in secret, sometimes in peril of their own safety - but always surrounding this sacred relic with reverence and contemplation.
"Thank you to the people of Drogheda - your ancestors - who not only welcomed and protected Archbishop Oliver, but who also provided hospitality and welcome for many others of my predecessor archbishops of Armagh down through the centuries."
Archbishop Martin has named Saint Peter’s Church as a ‘jubilee church’ for 2025, alongside Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh. "I pray this will bring many visitors and abundant graces and blessings to Drogheda and a sense of new life, community cooperation and hope for this historic and strategically important town which has endured many challenges in recent years."
Archbishop Martin continued "At the gallows in Tyburn, London, in 1681, Oliver said: “I do heartily forgive them (my accusers), and also the judges, …and I also forgive all those who had a hand in bringing me from Ireland to be tried here, where it is morally impossible for me to have a fair trial. I do finally forgive all who did concur directly or indirectly to take away my life; and I ask forgiveness of all those whom I ever offended by thought, word or deed”."
"I trust that those who come to this Church during this jubilee year to gaze upon the sacred relic of the head of Saint Oliver, or who visit our Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Armagh and look up at the face of Saint Oliver in his statue there, will gain some of Saint Oliver’s serenity, courage, wisdom and hope, both for themselves and for others." the Archbishop concluded.
"My prayer at this launch of #Oliver400 is that Saint Oliver Plunkett will inspire all who visit Saint Peter’s Church, Drogheda, this year, so that they will leave feeling stronger in their faith, firmer in their hope and committed to reach out to others in charity, peace and reconciliation."
Other events will be announced at a later stage.
