St. Oliver Plunkett Novena
Contents
Show HideSt. Oliver Plunkett was an Irish archbishop who lived in the 1600s. He faced a lot of anti-Catholic opposition during his life.
St. Oliver Plunkett died as a martyr during an anti-Catholic plot called the Popish Plot. When he was canonized in 1975, St. Oliver Plunkett was the first new Irish saint in seven hundred years.
You can use this novena to ask for intercession from this courageous Irish martyr!
About St. Oliver Plunkett
St. Oliver Plunkett was born in 1625 in Loughcrew, Ireland. His parents were wealthy, and his family was related to nobility.
In his early twenties, while civil war between Catholics and Protestants was raging in Ireland,
Oliver traveled to Rome to study for the priesthood.
In 1654, he was ordained. Oliver was not able to return to Ireland to minister to people in his homeland, because persecution of Catholics was strong in Ireland at that time. Public practice of Catholicism was outlawed, and clergy were being executed. So Oliver remained in Rome teaching for several years.
In 1669, Oliver was appointed as archbishop of the Irish archdiocese of Armagh, as well as Primate (bishop with higher authority over several metropolitans and provinces) of Ireland. When he arrived in Ireland, religious toleration had returned to the country.
Oliver quickly began his work of visiting his people, establishing schools, ordaining, and confirming. He is said to have confirmed over forty-eight thousand people in the span of four years. He also worked to reform the problem of drunkenness among the members of the clergy.
In 1673, the Test Act was enacted. This law brought about a renewal of persecution against Catholics. It led to the closing and destruction of the Jesuit college Oliver had established.
Oliver went into hiding, and he began to use a disguise when traveling. He refused an edict to register for transport to exile.
In 1678, an English clergyman named Titus Oates alleged that there was a conspiracy by Catholics to assassinate Charles II. This allegation, known as the Popish Plot, led to further anti-Catholic persecution in Ireland. The archbishop of Dublin was arrested, and Oliver went into hiding.
While in hiding, Oliver suffered from cold and hunger. But he was determined to remain a faithful shepherd to his people and not abandon them. Oliver was finally arrested in Dublin in 1679.
Oliver was tried for a false conspiracy against the state. It was clear that the charges could not be proven, but government officials were eager to use a trial against Oliver to discourage the forming of an Irish rebellion.
Though Oliver’s prosecution had trouble providing any evidence against him, he was eventually convicted on the testimony of perjured witnesses. He was sentenced to be hanged, drawn, and quartered.
Oliver had the opportunity to save himself by agreeing to give false evidence against his fellow bishops, but he refused. Instead, he prepared to die. He calmly refuted the false charges of treason and publicly forgave those who were responsible for his death.
St. Oliver Plunkett’s Feast Day: July 1st
Why Pray the St. Oliver Plunkett Novena?
St. Oliver Plunkett is the patron saint of peace and reconciliation in Ireland. You can ask for his prayers for Ireland, that the country may be united and strong in its Faith.
You can also seek St. Oliver Plunkett’s intercession on behalf of a bishop, since he served as archbishop of Armagh.
St. Oliver Plunkett is also a great saint to seek intercession from if you are being persecuted for your Faith, or for others suffering religious persecution. He spent many years suffering because of his Faith, and he ultimately died for the Faith.
You can pray the St. Oliver Plunkett Novena for any intention!
St. Oliver Plunkett Novena Prayers
St. Oliver Plunkett Novena - Day 1
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Oliver Plunkett as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed in choosing to serve You in the priesthood.
St. Oliver Plunkett, you lived in a tumultuous society that was not friendly toward the Catholic Faith. You knew that life as a priest could be difficult, but you willingly chose to give your life to God’s service in the priesthood.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served!
The religious civil war in your home country of Ireland prevented you from studying for the priesthood at home. You traveled to Rome to pursue your vocation, and you served God as a priest for the rest of your life.
Pray for me, that I may be open to doing whatever God calls me to in my life. Pray that I may never allow difficulties to deter me from serving God.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Oliver Plunkett, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Oliver Plunkett Novena - Day 2
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Oliver Plunkett as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed throughout years of difficulties and persecution on account of his Faith.
St. Oliver Plunkett, you had to leave your home in Ireland where religious war was raging, in order to study for the priesthood. Religious persecution prevented you from returning home for several years, but you continued on your path of service to God.
Please continue to bring my petitions before God!
Even though you were eventually able to return home, you faced greater difficulties when Catholic persecution began once more in Ireland. Throughout your suffering, you remained strong in your Faith and your vocation
Pray for me, that I may remain strong in my Faith despite all difficulties. Pray that I may never allow suffering to deter me from serving God.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Oliver Plunkett, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Oliver Plunkett Novena - Day 3
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Oliver Plunkett as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue with which he served You for many years in the priesthood.
St. Oliver Plunkett, you were so eager to serve God in the priesthood that you were willing to leave your home in Ireland in order to become a priest.
Please continue to bring my petitions before God Whom you longed to serve!
You knew that becoming a priest could lead to your suffering and death. But you willingly chose to devote your life to serving God and His Church. Even amidst persecution and all the way until your martyrdom, you remained God’s faithful servant.
Pray for me, that I may serve God faithfully throughout my whole life. Pray that I may never allow any difficulties to deter me from serving Him.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Oliver Plunkett, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Oliver Plunkett Novena - Day 4
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Oliver Plunkett as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed in accepting his vocation to shepherd Your people as an archbishop.
St. Oliver Plunkett, you were appointed as an archbishop in your home country of Ireland just as the ravages of religious persecution were dying down there. You must have known that you would face many difficulties in this role, but you readily accepted it anyway.
Please continue to bring my petitions before God Whom you served so readily!
As an archbishop, you quickly began visiting your flock, establishing schools, ordaining, and confirming. You worked to reform the problem of drunkenness among clergy, and you did your best to serve God in a tumultuous society.
Pray for me, that I may always seek to carry out the duties of my vocation as faithfully as you did. Pray that I may never allow difficulties to deter my from serving God.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Oliver Plunkett, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Oliver Plunkett Novena - Day 5
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Oliver Plunkett as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed in remaining faithful amidst false accusations against him, even to the point of death.
St. Oliver Plunkett, you were falsely accused of conspiracy against the state. Even though you were given the chance to save your life by renouncing your Faith and turning on your brothers in Christ, you remained faithful.
Please be faithful in presenting my petitions before God!
It was clear that you were innocent of the charges brought against you, but your enemies had you sentenced to death anyway. Despite a torturous death, you remained steadfast in your Faith.
Pray for me, that I may be as faithful as you were! Pray that I may always be strong in my Faith, even to the point of death if necessary.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Oliver Plunkett, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Oliver Plunkett Novena - Day 6
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Oliver Plunkett as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue he showed in choosing faithfulness to You and Your laws over his own life.
St. Oliver Plunkett, you were falsely accused and brought to trial for crimes against the state in which you had had no part. Despite the threat of painful death, you continued in your faithfulness to God and never wavered.
Please continue to bring my petitions before God!
You could have saved your life by giving false witness against your brother bishops, but you courageously refused. You chose instead to die for your Faith.
Pray for me, that I may have the fortitude to do what is right, no matter the cost. Pray that I may persevere in my Faith even to the point of death if necessary.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Oliver Plunkett, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Oliver Plunkett Novena - Day 7
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Oliver Plunkett as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue he showed in choosing to forgive those responsible for his death.
St. Oliver Plunkett, you were convicted of a crime you did not commit. It was clear you were innocent, but your enemies arranged for perjured testimonies to be given as evidence against you.
Please continue to bring my petitions before the throne of God!
You were sentenced to die a cruel death by being hanged, drawn and quartered. But rather than give in to bitterness or anger, you chose to publicly forgive your enemies before your death.
Pray for me, that I may be as forgiving as you were. Pray that I may have the grace to forgive even those who have hurt me deeply.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Oliver Plunkett, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Oliver Plunkett Novena - Day 8
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Oliver Plunkett as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue he showed in courageously holding fast to his Faith amidst persecution, even to the point of death.
St. Oliver Plunkett, you lived in a society that was often hostile to the Catholic Faith. You knew that serving God faithfully might be very difficult, but you persevered in your Faith throughout your whole life.
Please persevere in bringing my petitions before God!
You were eventually arrested and tried for false crimes, because of your devotion to the Catholic Faith. Though you were sentenced to die a torturous death, you courageously held firm in your Faith.
Pray for me, that I may never waver in the courage to practice my Faith amidst all difficulties. Pray that I may persevere even to the point of death if necessary.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Oliver Plunkett, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Oliver Plunkett Novena - Day 9
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Oliver Plunkett as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion he showed in serving You and Your Church faithfully amidst difficulties and persecution.
St. Oliver Plunkett, your life of service to God was full of trials and difficulties. You had to leave your home in order to become a priest. And you faced the difficulties of persecution throughout your years as an archbishop.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you faithfully served!
You knew that your devoted service to God could lead to your suffering and death. But you willingly chose to serve Him to the best of your ability, even putting the needs of your flock above saving your life.
Pray for me, that I may serve God to the best of my ability throughout my life. Pray that I may put God even before my own life.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Oliver Plunkett, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.