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A visit with St. Oliver: Priest, Bishop, Educator, Martyr


Nathan McKinniss

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I first want to say I do regret currently having a poor attendance on Sundays. Regular Mass I mean, which I would attend every week due to growing up in a private Catholic school. My mom will be proud though, when she reads that I went to a church over here in Ireland!

 

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St. Peters Church

 

St. Peter's Church in Drogheda is not the city's only church, but it is the only one with a sacred head. Seriously. The church is also known as The St. Oliver Plunkett Memorial Church, a shrine is dedicated to St. Oliver... where his head resides.

 

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St. Oliver: Priest, Bishop, Educator, Martyr

 

Nate, what do you mean there is a head in the church? Well friends, in 1681, Archbishop Plunkett was hanged, drawn and quartered. A few of his remains were rescued, most notably his head, plus some random bones.

 

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The remains of St. Oliver.

 

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The prison cell door of St. Oliver Plunkett

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I was slow to walk into the church, not knowing when I'd come face to face with the 335 year old skull. Don't be frightened, lads, the head does not pop out at you! It was quite difficult to find in this magnificent church, but if by some chance any one visits do enjoy the beauty of this sacred place.

 

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The head is incased in the grand golden temple structure

 

The transept is where the Saint's memorial resides. There are candles around to light and pews facing the Relic for prayer. Notably Pope John Paul II visited and prayed before St. Oliver's Relic.

 

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Pope Paul VI canonized Dr. Oliver Plunkett to sainthood 

 

I still don't understand how the head is preserved so well, being so old. One thing I am sure of is that miracles happen, not so much along the lines of Miracle-Gro, but every now and then we all get one of some sort!

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