Corpus Christi procession draws 20,000 worshipers

UP TO 20,000 Catholics lined the streets and joined in Cork’s 80th Corpus Christi Eucharistic procession which began at the North Cathedral and ended at Daunt Square yesterday.

Cork’s growing immigrant community were also represented with large numbers of Poles, Latvians and Lithuanians present.

Bishop of Cork and Ross, Bishop John Buckley carried the blessed sacrament through the streets of the city while soprano Cara O’Sullivan sang Ave Maria and Panis Angelicus. The auxiliary bishop of Southwark Dioceses, Bishop Patrick Lynch, from Bishopstown joined in prayers.

Bishop Buckley said: “It was another great occasion this year with a great attendance. This march is part of the fabric of the city and has been in place since shortly after the Civil War when lay people decided they needed a unifying occasion.”

The procession travelled along Mulgrave Road to Patrick Street before prayers were said at Daunt Square. Representatives of local parishes, University College Cork (UCC) and the other third level colleges joined in the procession.

“This is a very important day for the people of Cork and always has been. It was an idea that came from the people,” said the Bishop.

The feast of Corpus Christi was celebrated around the country yesterday to commemorate the institution of the holy eucharist.