Some were baptised, confirmed, and received the Eucharist for the first time, while others were confirmed and welcomed more fully into the Catholic Church.
In his homily, Bishop Fintan reflected on the profound significance of this moment, highlighting the visible signs of new hope.
Tonight, we see new life before our eyes as these men and women come forward for the Sacraments of Initiation - Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist - they are a powerful sign for all of us. In a world that can so often seem tired or discouraged, they remind us that Christ is alive, that he is still calling people, that he is still giving new life.”
Bishop Fintan noted the diversity of those coming forward, pointing out that while some are from Ireland, others have come from across Europe and beyond, yet all now call Cork home. This, he said, reflects the universal nature of the Church, rooted in the local community while open to the wider world.
The presence of these new members of the Church brought a strong sense of hope to the celebration, highlighting the continuing call of faith and the renewal at the heart of Easter.
Priests of the diocese left their own parishes and places of ministry to travel with deacons, religious and lay people to the Cathedral in Cork for Mass celebrated by Bishop Fintan and concelebrated by the priests.
This Mass is known as the Mass of Chrism - after one of the holy oils which are blessed during this Mass each year.
Referring to the oils in his homily, Bishop said the Oil of Catechumens, the Oil of Chrism and the Oil of the Sick flow out as streams of grace to all parts of the diocese.
“They will touch the lives of our people in Baptism and Confirmation, in the Anointing of the Sick, in moments of joy and moments of great vulnerability” he said.
“They remind us that God’s grace does not remain here in the Cathedral. It goes out. It reaches people where they are.”
During the Mass of Chrism the bishops and priests renewed the promises they made at their ordination. Addressing the priests, Bishop Fintan invites people to support their priests.
“And I want to take this moment, on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of this diocese, to say simply: thank you.
Thank you for your faithful and generous service: for the many hidden and unseen ways you serve your people - baptising new members into the Church, celebrating the Eucharist, preaching the Word, accompanying families, visiting the sick, burying the dead, walking with people in moments of joy and moments of sorrow.”
“Much of what you do is not noticed publicly. But it matters deeply. And it is valued. And it is loved.”
The Mass was also concelebrated by Emeritus Bishop John Buckley and Emeritus Bishop Noel O’Regan S
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The congregation included the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Fergal Dennehy, the Lady Mayoress, Karen Brennan; the Chief Executive of Cork City Council, Valerie O'Sullivan; the Lord Mayor of the City of Coventry, Cllr Rachel Lancaster and members of Cork City Council.
In his homily at the Mass, Bishop Fintan said that St. Patrick didn’t only bring the Christian faith to Ireland.
“That faith has helped to shape the values that became part of Irish identity — a sense of community, care for the vulnerable, hospitality to the stranger and an awareness of God in everyday life.”
Bishop Fintan said that Cork has a particular reason to celebrate that living tradition of faith this year.
“We mark the one hundredth anniversary of the great Eucharistic Procession which first took place in our city in 1926.”
In challenges, the people of Cork turned to the Eucharist, gathering in prayer and bringing their faith onto the streets of the city, the bishop said.
“This year we will mark that centenary when we gather once again for the Eucharistic Procession through the city on Sunday 7th June, the Feast of Corpus Christi — renewing that public witness of faith and unity in Cork.”
Bishop Fintan also announced that ahead of the Corpus Christi Procession this year, the diocese will host a visit of the relics of St. Carlo Acutis – the young Italian who was declared the first millennial saint by Pope Leo last September.
Carlo often said that the Eucharist was “the highway to heaven”.
“Patrick in the fifth century and Saint Carlo Acutis in our own time both remind us of the same truth: that an encounter with Christ in the Eucharist has the power to transform lives.”
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