Ogilvie, who was hanged at Glasgow Cross 400 years ago, was born into a Calvinist family but converted to Catholicism and entered the Jesuit order.

On March 10, 1615, Ogilvie, aged 26, was paraded through the streets of Glasgow and hanged at Glasgow Cross for refusing to accept the supremacy of King James in spiritual matters.

Now a play chronicling his incredible story is being showcased St Mirin’s Cathedral Hall on Saturday, March 21 at 7.30pm.

It is written and directed by Stephen Callaghan, director of the Archdiocese of Glasgow Arts Project.

He said: “This is the second showing of the Ogilvie story having previously had its premier at Glasgow University during Lentfest 2012.

“Marking the 400th Anniversary this year, we are taking it out of Glasgow and, by popular demand, into other areas of Scotland.” Ogilvie was the son of a wealthy laird and born into a respected Calvinist family at Drum near Keith.

He was educated in Europe where he attended a number of Catholic educational establishments.

In the midst of the religious controversies and turmoil that engulfed Europe he decided to become a Catholic. He was seventeen when he was received into the Catholic Church in Belgium.

Twelve years later he joined the Society of Jesus and was ordained a priest in Paris.

Ogilvie later returned to Scotland disguised as a horse trader named John Watson. He began to preach in secret, celebrating Mass clandestinely in private homes.

In 1614, he was betrayed and arrested in Glasgow and jailed in Edinburgh.

He was tortured in an attempt to make him divulge the identities of other Catholics.

This was soon after the time of Guy Fawkes’ unsuccessful attempt to blow up the House of Lords during the state opening of Parliament.

In 1976 Ogilvie was canonised following the miracle of Glasgow dock worker John Fagan who was inexplicably cured of stomach cancer.

The Catholic Church put it all down to the intervention John Ogilvie.

Stephen Callaghan added: “Although there is some poetic licence, the play attempts to give a snapshot of this period in Scottish history and an insight into the lives of its people.” Tickets for The Martyrdom of St John Ogilvie can be purchased on 0141 554 1333 or email: lentfest@agap.org.uk or lentfest@agap.org.uk Ogilvie, who was hanged at Glasgow Cross 400 years ago, was born into a Calvinist family but converted to Catholicism and entered the Jesuit order.

On March 10, 1615, Ogilvie, aged 26, was paraded through the streets of Glasgow and hanged at Glasgow Cross for refusing to accept the supremacy of King James in spiritual matters.

Now a play chronicling his incredible story is being showcased St Mirin’s Cathedral Hall on Saturday, March 21 at 7.30pm.

It is written and directed by Stephen Callaghan, director of the Archdiocese of Glasgow Arts Project.

He said: “This is the second showing of the Ogilvie story having previously had its premier at Glasgow University during Lentfest 2012.

“Marking the 400th Anniversary this year, we are taking it out of Glasgow and, by popular demand, into other areas of Scotland.” Ogilvie was the son of a wealthy laird and born into a respected Calvinist family at Drum near Keith.

He was educated in Europe where he attended a number of Catholic educational establishments.

In the midst of the religious controversies and turmoil that engulfed Europe he decided to become a Catholic. He was seventeen when he was received into the Catholic Church in Belgium.

Twelve years later he joined the Society of Jesus and was ordained a priest in Paris.

Ogilvie later returned to Scotland disguised as a horse trader named John Watson. He began to preach in secret, celebrating Mass clandestinely in private homes.

In 1614, he was betrayed and arrested in Glasgow and jailed in Edinburgh.

He was tortured in an attempt to make him divulge the identities of other Catholics.

This was soon after the time of Guy Fawkes’ unsuccessful attempt to blow up the House of Lords during the state opening of Parliament.

In 1976 Ogilvie was canonised following the miracle of Glasgow dock worker John Fagan who was inexplicably cured of stomach cancer.

The Catholic Church put it all down to the intervention John Ogilvie.

Stephen Callaghan added: “Although there is some poetic licence, the play attempts to give a snapshot of this period in Scottish history and an insight into the lives of its people.” Tickets for The Martyrdom of St John Ogilvie can be purchased on 0141 554 1333 or email: lentfest@agap.org.uk or lentfest@agap.org.uk