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Feast Day: June 20
Name: Blessed Donough Maccready
Profile: Priest in the diocese of Down and Connor, Ireland. One of the Irish Martyrs.
Feast Days: 20 June as one of the Irish Martyrs
Born: Irish
Died: 1608 in Coleraine, Ireland
Venerated: 6 July 1991 by Pope John Paul II
Beatified: 27 September 1992 by Pope John Paul II in Rome, Italy
Biography:
Blessed Donough Maccready was an Irish priest who lived during the late 16th and early 17th centuries in the diocese of Down and Connor, Ireland. He is recognized as one of the Irish Martyrs, who suffered persecution for their Catholic faith.
Born in Ireland, details regarding Blessed Donough Maccready's early life and family background are scarce. However, it is known that during this period, Ireland faced severe religious conflicts as Catholicism was suppressed and Protestantism was enforced. Despite these challenging times, Maccready felt a call to priesthood and dedicated himself to serving the Catholic community.
Ordained as a priest, Blessed Donough Maccready fearlessly carried out his pastoral duties, ministering to the faithful in the diocese. He provided spiritual guidance, assisted with the administration of the sacraments, and bravely upheld the teachings of the Catholic Church despite the prevailing persecution.
In 1608, while serving in Coleraine, Ireland, Blessed Donough Maccready became a victim of the religious turmoil of the time. He was arrested for his Catholic faith and subsequently endured imprisonment, likely subjected to harsh conditions and interrogations aimed at renouncing his beliefs.
Despite the hardships, Blessed Donough Maccready refused to betray his faith and remained steadfast in his commitment to Catholicism until the end. On an unknown date in 1608, he was martyred for his refusal to forsake his religious convictions, becoming one of the many victims during this period of religious persecution in Ireland.
Centuries later, in recognition of his unwavering faith and sacrifice, Pope John Paul II decreed the veneration of Blessed Donough Maccready on 6 July 1991. This acknowledgment allowed the faithful to honor his memory and seek his intercession. On 27 September 1992, during the beatification ceremony held in Rome, Italy, Pope John Paul II formally declared Blessed Donough Maccready as one of the beatified, acknowledging his sanctity and martyrdom.
Today, Blessed Donough Maccready is commemorated and celebrated on 20 June as one of the Irish Martyrs, a shining example of courage and devotion to the Catholic faith in the face of persecution. His life serves as an inspiration to Catholics around the world, reminding them of the importance of remaining steadfast in their beliefs, even amidst challenges.