Eucharistic Procession gathers a huge Cork turnout

Thousands of people took to the streets for the 99th Eucharistic procession, which took place in the city centre this weekend.

To facilitate the increasing numbers taking part, a specially constructed platform and altar was designed for the Grand Parade, with a new radio frequency allowing people to watch live from home.

The procession was led by the Butter Exchange Band, who have led the procession since 1926, and Bishop Fintan Gavin carried the blessed sacrament under a ceremonial canopy.

It began at the Cathedral of Saint Mary and Saint Anne at 3pm and finished on Grand Parade.

In his homily, Bishop Gavin spoke of the tradition of the procession in Cork city, and its importance “in a war torn world which needs peace now more than ever”.

He shared a story he had been told by a friend about her son Lorcan, who is autistic and struggles to stay still during Mass. He had not long ago received his First Holy Communion, and recently his father, who suffers from epilepsy, had to stay home while the family went to Mass as he was feeling unwell.

Lorcan was “so attentive and well behaved” during the Mass that his mother suggested they get him a treat afterwards, but he was adamant they go straight home to his dad, and she realised that he had broken his communion in two and was carefully holding half of it in his hands. 

He told her: 

“Dad isn’t well and I need to bring him Jesus, I am sharing Jesus with daddy today.”

Bishop Gavin said that while he wasn’t recommending bringing the eucharist home, “Lorcan, in his innocence, showed his absolute belief in the real presence of Jesus in the eucharist, his understanding of its healing power, and an instinctive knowledge that the eucharist is meant to be shared”.

Among those in attendance was newly elected Lord Mayor Fergal Dennehy, who told The Echo: “Today’s Corpus Christi procession was a beautiful celebration of unity, peace, healing, and love which is very welcome particularly given the turmoil that is happening in some parts of the world right now.

“It was a joy to take part in a tradition that has been cherished in Cork for 99 years. In a city that has become as diverse as Cork is today, I look forward to many more occasions throughout the year where we celebrate faith and, of course, community and the coming together of our citizens in unity.”