St John Ogilvie

This is a remarkable story of a remarkable man from Keith who has a privileged place in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, particularly in Scotland and here in the North-East.

John Ogilvie’s life was short and yet his tale of bravery, courage, selflessness and devotion to his faith has lasted long after his death almost 400 years ago.

A Jesuit priest, he was martyred in Glasgow for refusing to denounce Catholicism and accepting that the King (James VI of Scotland and I of England) had supreme authority in all matters spiritual as well as civil. Ogilvie was no traitor to his nation; he declared his loyalty to his King on countless occasions, but made clear he was dying “for religion alone”, adding: “For that I am prepared to give even a hundred lives”.

John Ogilvie was not born a Catholic. He wasn’t admitted to the faith until he was 17 years of age. He was a priest for only five years and he was dead by the age of 36.

His trial, following unspeakable torture, beatings, starvation and sleep deprivation, and his subsequent execution, became a cause célèbre throughout Europe and he was revered by his Jesuit order and throughout the Church. But it was not until 1929 that he was beatified (made Blessed) and 1976 that he was canonised as Scotland’s first Saint in more than 700 years.

So how did this young man from Keith come to earn his place among the great and mighty of the Catholic Church?