Canonised by Pope Paul VI on 17 October 1976, Ogilvie is remembered for his courage, steadfast faith and commitment to religious freedom. The golden jubilee offers an opportunity to reflect on his enduring legacy and introduce his remarkable story to a new generation.
The anniversary celebrations include a civic reception at Glasgow City Chambers on Thursday 15 October at 6pm, bringing together representatives of the Church and wider community. Jesuit historian Fr Thomas Flowers SJ, Assistant Professor of Ignatian Formation at Saint Louis University, will deliver a lecture exploring Ogilvie’s life and significance.
A new painting of St John Ogilvie by Scottish artist Gerard Burns will also be unveiled by Archbishop Leo Cushley, providing a lasting artistic tribute to the saint.
On Sunday 18 October at 12 noon, Archbishop William Nolan, Archbishop of Glasgow, will celebrate a Sung Mass of Thanksgiving at St Aloysius’ Church, followed by a reception at St Aloysius’ College.
Born near Keith in Banffshire in 1579, John Ogilvie was educated in continental Europe, where he became a Catholic before joining the Society of Jesus. Ordained a priest in 1610, he returned to Scotland to minister secretly to Catholics during a period of religious persecution.
Arrested in Glasgow in 1614, he was imprisoned and subsequently executed at Glasgow Cross on 10 March 1615, having refused to acknowledge the King’s authority in matters of religion.
Ogilvie was beatified in 1929 and canonised in 1976 following the recognition of a miracle attributed to his intercession: the extraordinary recovery of Glasgow parishioner John Fagan from serious illness.
His witness continues to resonate more than four centuries after his death, offering an example of faith, personal conviction and fidelity to conscience.
The golden jubilee is also intended as a starting point for a wider programme of religious, cultural and educational activities celebrating Ogilvie’s life and legacy.
An exhibition is being prepared for display at St Aloysius’ Church during Advent and Christmas, while further initiatives and commemorative resources are being developed to encourage engagement with the saint’s story, particularly among younger generations.
The celebrations also look ahead to further significant anniversaries, including the centenary of Ogilvie’s beatification in 2029 and the centenary associated with the National Shrine in 2033.
Through these celebrations and forthcoming activities, the Jesuits hope to renew interest in a Scottish saint whose life continues to offer inspiration for the Church and wider society.
Further details of the anniversary programme will be available through St Aloysius’ Church and the dedicated St John Ogilvie anniversary website.
