Ss Peter and Paul’s Church was at full capacity for the 7am Mass on Sunday morning as runners, supporters and volunteers gathered for a special Mass ahead of the Cork City Marathon.
The Mass was offered for the repose of the soul of Ellen Cassidy, who died shortly after taking part in last year’s half marathon. Members of her family and friends were present for the Mass, alongside the Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Fergal Dennehy.

Those at the Mass also had the opportunity to venerate the relics of St Carlo Acutis and receive a blessing with the relic before making their way to the marathon start line.

In his homily, Bishop Fintan reflected on the significance of the day and invoked God’s blessing on all those taking part in the event.

“This morning is very special as we gather for this Mass at the beginning of the Cork City Marathon and ask God’s blessing on the participants and the day ahead. Some will run for a personal goal, some for charity, some in memory of someone they love, and some simply to discover what they are capable of. It is very fitting that this Mass falls on Trinity Sunday. Today the Church reminds us that God is not distant or remote, but a communion of love.”

Schedule for the Visit of St Carlo Acutis' Relics to Cork

Saturday 30 May 2026

Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne, Cork

9am: Welcome Mass

10am: Veneration of Relics and Prayer

12:30pm: Talk by Msgr. Anthony Figueiredo:

Saint Carlo Acutis: Helping us Prepare for the 100 Anniversary of the Eucharistic Procession

12:50pm: Eucharistic Adoration

1:30pm Veneration of Relics and Prayer

5pm: Vigil Mass

6pm: Veneration of Relics and Prayer

8pm: Talk by Msgr. Anthony Figueiredo:

Saint Carlo Acutis: Helping us Prepare for the 100 Anniversary of the Eucharistic Procession

8:20pm Veneration of Relics and Prayer

10pm: Conclude veneration

Sunday 31 May 2026

Ss Peter and Paul's Church, Cork

7am: Mass to facilitate participants of Cork City Marathon (including a blessing with Relic)

8am: Veneration of Relics and Prayer

4pm: Talk by Msgr. Anthony Figueiredo:

Saint Carlo Acutis: Helping us Prepare for the 100 Anniversary of the Eucharistic Procession

4:20pm: Eucharistic Adoration

5pm: Veneration of Relics and Prayer

7pm: Mass Animated by Young Adults followed by hospitality

9pm: Talk by Msgr. Anthony Figueiredo:

Saint Carlo Acutis: Helping us Prepare for the 100 Anniversary of the Eucharistic Procession

10pm: Conclude veneration

Monday 1 June 2026

Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne, Cork

9am: Veneration of Relics and Prayer

12pm: Mass with Anointing of the Sick

2pm: Reserved time for Priests

Talk by Msgr. Anthony Figueiredo: Saint Carlo Acutis: An Encouragement for Diocesan Priests Today

3pm: Veneration of Relics and Prayer

5pm: Closing Mass of Thanksgiving

Please note there will be no further veneration of the Relics after this Mass

As part of the lead up to the Eucharistic Procession, the Relics of St. Carlo Acutis will visit the Diocese over the June Bank Holiday weekend
Friday 29th May to Monday 1st June
St. Carlo Acutis has inspired young people throughout the world through his deep devotion to the Eucharist. The visit of his relics offers a special opportunity to prepare spiritually for the Eucharistic Procession, helping us to deepen our appreciation and understanding of Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist.

The relics will travel to different locations across the diocese, allowing many people to participate in this significant and grace-filled occasion.

Timetable for the Visit of the Relics of St Carlo Acutis

Bishop Fintan is inviting people throughout the Diocese of Cork and Ross to pray a special Novena prayer as part of our preparation for the 100th anniversary of the Eucharistic Procession.

The Novena will be prayed over the nine days leading up to the Feast of Corpus Christi, from Friday, 29th May to Saturday, 6th June.

Copies of the Novena prayer have already been distributed to parishes and will be prayed at Masses across the diocese during these days. Further copies can also be downloaded from the diocesan website.

Each day of the Novena, a short video will be shared at 12 noon on the diocesan website and social media channels.

In these videos, people from across the diocese will lead the Novena prayer and help us to pray together as one diocesan family.

The Novena is a simple way for parishes, families, schools, religious communities and individuals to prepare spiritually for this historic moment in the life of Cork and Ross.

Bishop Fintan said that the 100th anniversary of the Eucharistic Procession is an opportunity for all of us to renew our faith in the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and to pray that this celebration will bear fruit in the life of our diocese.

The Novena prayer and daily videos will be available from Friday, 29th May on the diocesan website.

The Cathedral Family of Parishes are launching a new community for young adults from September 2026 – May 2027.

This is an amazing opportunity to live in the heart of Cork city, grow in your Catholic faith alongside peers, and get involved in the local parishes and diocesan events.  

There will be a weekly community night set aside for members to pray together, share a meal and receive formation. All community members will also commit to one regular pastoral placement (helping with OCIA, the young adult mass, Alpha, etc). 

This is more than just a residence, this is a special year to devote yourself to putting your faith into practice by growing in your daily prayer life and learning how to share your faith with others.

You would be in a privileged position to make a real difference on the larger faith community in Cork and Ross. You will have a retreat to begin the year and halfway through the year to reorient yourself and connect with God and there will be so many opportunities to be a part of Diocesan events too (Gougane Barra Sunday, the Chrism Mass etc).  

You will live right beside the Emmaus Café - our new Diocesan faith café in the city centre. There is 24 hour Eucharistic adoration right at your door. You would be situated between Tesco and Lidl – no need to drive for groceries. You would be living in Ss Peter and Paul’s Presbytery on Paul Street. 

All community members will have their own bedroom and bathrooms are shared between 1-3 people. On the ground floor, there are two kitchens, a study room, and a community room (sitting/dining room). On the first floor, there is a beautiful chapel with the Blessed Sacrament.  

All adults aged 18-35 are welcome to apply. Applications can be sent in before May 31st. Interviews will be conducted in June. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for an application form. And please pray for this initiative! 

The details of the events on the lead up to the Procession were announced on Wednesday night:

The Relics of Saint Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint, will visit the Diocese over the June Bank Holiday weekend.
A two-week diocesan mission, led by young people from the Diocese of Cork and Ross, who will be joined by a Canadian mission team from Catholic Christian Outreach.
There will be 100 hours of Adoration - an hour for each year - beginning at 1:30am on Wednesday 3 June and concluding at 10am on Sunday 7 June.
A nine-day novena of prayer has been written specially for the occasion and will take place in advance of the Procession.
There will be a special Mass and blessing for the runners of the Cork City Marathon on Sunday 31st May.

Speaking at the launch, Bishop Fintan said; “This year marks a unique and historic milestone in the life of our diocese and our city. This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment - the 100th anniversary of the Eucharistic Procession in Cork. The events taking place in advance of it - the mission, the visit of the relics of Carlo Acutis, the 100 Hours of Adoration, the Novena - all lead us to this one moment. A moment when we will walk together with Jesus in the Eucharist, with one another, as one people of faith. This is an invitation to people of all ages, from parishes throughout the diocese and from our many other faith communities, to join us by walking and participating in this historic event.”

This year's Eucharistic Procession takes place on Sunday 7th June 2026. The Procession will begin at 3pm at the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne and finish with benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at the Grand Parade.