The price of Eucharistic faithfulness

The last Catholic martyr executed at Tyburn in London, St Oliver Plunkett (1625-1681) served as Archbishop of Armagh and successor of St Patrick. During a period of anti-Catholic persecution, he risked his life to provide the sacraments, ordain priests and sustain Eucharistic life among the faithful.

Canonised by Pope Paul VI in 1975, St Oliver Plunkett became the first new Irish saint in almost seven hundred years.  After spending many years in Rome while Catholics in Ireland faced severe restrictions, Plunkett returned to Ireland in 1670 following a relaxation in laws against Catholics. 

During the Stuart Restoration, Plunkett dissented from the Test Act.  The Test Act of 1673 required