St John Ogilvie

In October, 1976, 10,000 pilgrims gathered at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome for the Canonisation of John Ogilvie. The many from Scotland included a planeload from the Diocese of Aberdeen and a contingent from St Thomas’ in Keith, led by parish priest Mgr John Copland, a great exponent of the Ogilvie cause.  Mgr Copland had persuaded Isla Bank Mills at Keith to make Ogilvie tartan for scarves which were proudly worn in Rome.

A young student priest from Keith, Andrew Mann, travelled from the Scots College in Spain to deliver the first reading at the St Peter’s ceremony and a Keith parishioner, James Collins, was given the privilege of carrying a candle in the offertory procession, for which he received a medal from Pope Paul. 

Helen Ettles and Ena Shaw, parishioners of St Thomas’, recalled that great day...

“Generations of Scots, and particularly of the parish of St Thomas in his birthplace Keith, had prayed most earnestly for Blessed John Ogilvie to be declared Saint. At last the generations of prayer and a miracle attributable to him were accepted as scrutiny by the Vatican.  John Fagan, from Glasgow, had made an inexplicable recovery from cancer after doctors had given up all hope for him”.

“We were all full of joy and began to make plans for as many as possible to be present in Rome for the Ceremony of Canonisation.  Research into the Ogilvie Tartan revealed at least three in use.  The main one was a very elaborate set of the Family tartans combined into one which took almost a square yard of material. It was a most gaudy yellow, not very suitable for everyday use, but the local woollen mills agreed to make up a quantity of headscarves for us.  The other two sets were more suitable for general use and the same mill made up lengths of material and travelling rugs.  We took one of these rugs as a gift to the Pope – and, of course, we took some whisky as well”.

“When the great day came, the St Thomas’ group set off for Aberdeen Airport where we joined with others from the diocese. At that time the Bishop’s Chair in Aberdeen was vacant but we had many of the senior clergy from the city with us. We, the laity, speculated on which of them would be called to fill the vacancy. In our more thoughtful moments, we offered prayers for the one who would eventually be laden with that responsibility.  Much later, a little known priest from a parish in the very far North, his first parish, was the one chosen and became Bishop Mario Conti”.

“Arriving in Rome, we were accommodated in the Hotel Michael Angelo, just outside the Vatican Wall. As ever, most of Rome was full.  Our Mgr Copland had studied at Rome’s Scots College, and we benefited on many occasions from his local knowledge”.

“On the day of the Canonisation, we had to be in St Peter’s very early.  Our allotted place was very close to the altar and we had a good view of the proceedings. We watched the VIPs arriving, including Mr Fagan and Princess Alexandra and her husband Mr Angus Ogilvie”.

“The Mass was most memorable, one of the Readers was a young seminarian from Keith, Andrew Mann, who read well and clearly but with a touch of the accent of Keith, making us feel at home.  The Pope, Paul VI, referred to St John as a “Man of Strathisla” and we glowed with reflected glory. Later, Jimmy Collins from Keith helped present the traditional gifts to His Holiness and received a special medal in return. We all felt we had a little share in that too”.

“After the Mass we all gathered in the Square to receive the Papal Blessing; suddenly a small group emerged carrying a banner. This was Pastor Jack Glass, and his banner read “THOUSANDS OF SCOTS OBJECT TO THIS”. The Italian police rolled up his banner and led the party so courteously to the airport and stayed to see them off”.

“We spent the rest of the five days sightseeing, with Mass each day in a different church. Another highlight was a Papal Audience where we were blessed especially, and with us the objects if piety we had bought as souvenirs. We left Rome emotionally overwhelmed, vowing to go back, but with memories that will last forever”.