Plans for Cork City’s 2025 Corpus Christi Procession in June were announced at the Cathedral of Saint Mary and Saint Anne on Wednesday May 13th
The Eucharistic Procession will take place on Sunday, June 22nd, 2025. This year marks 99 years since it began with the first Procession in the Cork city streets taking place on June 6th, 1926 where tens of thousands of people participated.
The idea of taking the Procession through the streets of Cork emerged in the years after the Civil War.
Speaking at the launch, Bishop Fintan Gavin said; “The Eucharistic Procession is deeply rooted and of huge importance to the people of Cork City and beyond. We are almost ten decades on since the first Procession through the streets of Cork City. Last year, we had a tremendous turnout and this year we are preparing for the ever-growing numbers.
“We are taking the final prayer and benediction back out onto the streets with a specially constructed stage on Grand Parade. I’m most grateful for everyone’s assistance in continuing - and growing - this long-standing Cork tradition. You cannot have the word 'community' without 'unity'. I'd like to invite individuals and groups from across the city and county to be part of the celebration. I look forward to welcoming you on the day.”
The Procession will commence at 3pm from the Cathedral of Saint Mary and Saint Anne. A number of additions have been made to the Procession this year.
To facilitate the increasing numbers taking part each year, the liturgy and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament will take place on a specifically erected stage and altar on the Grand Parade.
Bishop Fintan said: "You cannot have the word 'community' without 'unity'. The Eucharistic Procession celebrates the unity in faith that abounds in Cork, as well as the need to foster further unity in an increasingly complex world.
“This year’s Procession will have participants from every continent and many countries. Cork’s Catholic parishes have been welcoming newcomers to Cork for a couple of decades now and they are making a very valuable contribution to the life of our parishes and our diocese as well as working in so many walks of life.”
Music is a big part of the procession so we have invited the choirs and music groups from the parishes in the city and beyond to participate. The procession will be led by the Butter Exchange band.
