Monday, 1st July, St. Oliver Plunkett, from Irish nobility, whose family supported King Charles I. ordained in Rome in 1654, he was a professor of theology from then until appointed Archbishop of Armagh in 1669. He ministered in Armagh, though forced to work in a covert way during the suppression of priests. He was arrested and tried at Dundalk in 1679 for conspiring against the state. He was moved to Newgate Prison, London. He was found guilty of high treason ‘for promoting the Catholic faith’, and was condemned to a gruesome death. He was hanged, drawn and quartered on the 1st July 1681 at Tyburn, in London. He was the last Catholic to die for his faith at Tyburn, and the first of the Irish martyrs to be beatified in 1920. He was canonised by Pope Paul VI on the 12th October 1975. He is buried at Downside Abbey, England; his head is venerated in St. Peter’s Church, Drogheda.
Wednesday, 3rd July, St. Thomas, Apostle, is said to have preached the gospel in India where he was martyred. The faith that led him to know Christ in his wounds also sent him to the farthest places to preach Christ.
Thursday, 4th July, St Elizabeth of Portugal, 1271-1336, of the House of Aragon, had an unhappy marriage with the King of Portugal. She persevered in prayer and good works, and as a widow lived in poverty as a Franciscan tertiary.
Saturday, 6th July, St. Maria Goretti, 1890-1902, stabbed to death in defence of her virtue.