The sun
reigned on the ninety second Annual Eucharistic Procession on Sunday 18th
June, 2017. It is a significant part of Cork’s Religious Heritage.
The
procession takes place on the Sunday afternoon nearest to the feast of “Corpus
Christi”. People walked from the North Cathedral of St. Mary’s and St. Anne’s and
gathered in Daunt Square. Bishop Buckley, of Cork brought the Blessed Sacrament
from the Cathedral to Daunt Square where there was a religious service
consisting of prayers, readings and hymns. On arriving in Daunt Square, Bishop
Buckley first blessed the sick and infirm in a special reserved area near the
altar. Bishop William Crean, Bishop of Cloyne preached the homily.
The idea of
a Eucharist Procession through the City of Cork is that it is a public witness
to faith. It celebrates the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and also in
people today, when we gather as a community of brothers and sisters and reach
out to people in need. Many Catholic groups who contribute to the life of the
city attended the procession. Cork’s multi-cultural nature was on display
during the procession, with members of the Asian, African and East European
communities in the city in attendance.
The ceremony
was live-streamed to facilitate households, patients in hospitals, nursing
homes and Cork people around the world.
Bishop
Buckley thanked the City Council, the Gardai, the Civil Defence, order of Malta
and St. John Ambulance brigade for their assistance with the procession. He
thanked the Church of the Incarnation choir for their singing, particularly
soloists Jessica O’Connell and Ramelo Gregorio, and paid tribute to the
organising committee.
