Bishop Fintan Gavin carried the Blessed Sacrament during the Corpus Christi procession in the city of Cork
Photo Peter Pietrzak
"All Catholics are called to be signs and instruments of hope, blessing and unity to all - even in a changing and diverse culture", according to Bishop Fintan Gavin
Bishop Gavin was preaching on Sunday at Ss Peter and Paul’s Church, Cork, at the conclusion of the city’s 97th Corpus Christi Procession - and the bishop’s first.
Thousands of people took part in the procession which began at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne and followed a new route across the Christy Ring Bridge and onto Patrick Street and into the city centre church.
Bishop Fintan carried the Blessed Sacrament in the procession accompanied by a crowd of people from across the city and beyond.
Addressing the overflow congregation at the church, Bishop Fintan welcomed the people of all ages and from all places who took part in the procession.
“We gather as people of faith from the various parishes here in the city and beyond with so many of the new communities of faith who share the same Catholic faith who have made their home here.“
“By taking the Blessed Sacrament in procession through the streets of our city we bring the presence of Jesus onto our streets to do three things - to bring hope, to be a blessing and to build up communion: communion with Jesus Christ, a communion that then binds us together to build wider communion and community,” Bishop Fintan said.
“Our Blessed Sacrament Procession through this community is a reminder to us and to the entire community that no matter what is happening in our personal lives, in our families or in our communities - that there is always hope. The future can be different. We pray for hope for families and especially for the children of our parishes and faith communities.
It is also a blessing for the entire city, he said. “As we walked along the streets, we blessed places. As we pass schools, we ask a blessing for the future of our young people, especially those doing exams these days. We will ask a blessing for our older generation who have done so much to build this community that they will never feel lonely, frightened, or abandoned.”
“We bring the blessing and the consolation of Jesus to those who have been left grieving and mourning. We wish to bring the blessing of Jesus to all.”
As people walk through our streets with the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, we pray for healing and reconciliation between all who are estranged, the bishop said.
“The unity of the one bread, which we as believers celebrate and receive, reaches out beyond the walls of the Cathedral and Church building and reaches out beyond just the community of believers to all the community. As believers, we are called to be ministers of unity among all.”
