Thousands take part in Cork's Eucharistic Procession amid 'a very uncertain world'

One participant who spoke to the 'Irish Examiner' echoed Bishop Fintan Gavin's sentiments, saying: 'More people are looking to God as the world is such an unsafe place now'

Bishop Fintan Gavin celebrating Mass on the Grand Parade at the culmination of Cork’s 2025 Eucharistic Procession. He told the 'Irish Examiner' people are seeking 'security, purpose, and meaning in a very uncertain world'. Picture: Chani Anderson

Thousands of people took part in the annual Eucharistic Procession in Cork City on Sunday, with many saying that the world has become such a dangerous place, more people will turn to God in the uncertain days ahead.

This was echoed by the Bishop of Cork and Ross Fintan Gavin before he led the ceremony which got underway at Cathedral of Saint Mary and Saint Anne, also known as the North Cathedral.

Bishop Gavin said he’d noticed an increase in those attending the event in recent years.

A sea of faithful wound their way through the streets of Cork as the 2025 Eucharistic Procession unfolded, continuing a tradition that has united generations of worshippers. Picture: Chani Anderson

He told the Irish Examiner that waking up on Sunday morning to news that US president Trump had ordered the US Air Force to bomb nuclear sites in Iran had no doubt made a lot of people feel uneasy.

People from parishes across the city and county took part in the 2025 Cork Eucharistic Procession, which made its way from the North Cathedral through the historic streets of Cork to the Grand Parade, where Mass was celebrated in the open air. Picture: Chani Anderson

The bishop said ordinary people are seeking out the higher power of God as they are looking for “security, purpose, and meaning in a very uncertain world".

A large proportion of those who took part in the procession were Catholic immigrants to the country. There was also a notable presence of younger Irish-born people.

Faithful Catholics gathered in great numbers along the Grand Parade for the concluding Mass of the Cork Eucharistic Procession 2025. Picture: Chani Anderson

For Indian-born Sabidha Matha, her husband, Joseph, and their two children, Anlive and Asmin, it was their first time at the procession.

Sabidha, a nurse at CUH, said the family moved to Ireland two years ago. She said: 

More people are looking to God as the world is such an unsafe place now. 

The Russian invasion of Ukraine, Israel’s brutal suppression of Palestinians in Gaza, and now its attacks on Iran being joined by the US are making people pray harder for global peace, people said.

“Everything is so confusing, everything is going wrong with the world with these wars,” said Patricia Campbell from Carrigaline who was attending the event for the third time.

Altar servers and clergy from the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne — 'the North Cathedral' — led the way as Bishop Fintan Gavin carried the Eucharist through Cork City towards the altar set up on the Grand Parade. Picture: Chani Anderson

George Feeney, 19, from Kinsale was leading the 25-strong 1st Cork Scout Troop in the procession. It was also his third time at the religious ceremony.

“I think there is a resurgence in trust of the church amongst younger people,” he said.

Dia Enodio, who is originally from the Philippines, came along with her two children Adiel, eight, and Biel, six.

People from parishes across city and county took part in the 2025 Cork Eucharistic Procession. Picture: Chani Anderson

Her family came to Ireland two years ago and they live in Tower, near Blarney.

She pointed out that the Philippines is one of the world’s most Catholic countries and so the transition to Ireland is great for her “because we have so many churches we can go to here".

People from all over Cork city and county wending their way through the streets of Cork for the 2025 Eucharistic Procession. Picture: Chani Anderson

Terry McCarthy came down from Farranree to attend the parade.

He said he’d been for the past two years after a gap of about 10 years. Prior to that he was a regular at it. He said: 

The world is now a very frightening place and anything could happen. I imagine a lot of people are turning to God because of this.

The procession, led by the Butter Exchange Band, left the cathedral at 3pm making its way down Cathedral Street, Roman Street, through Mulgrave Road, onto Pope’s Quay and over the Christy Ring Bridge.

The faithful gathered along the Grand Parade in Cork City for the concluding Mass of the Cork Eucharistic Procession 2025, marking one of the city’s oldest annual religious events. Picture: Chani Anderson

From there it progressed along Academy Street, into Patrick Street and onto Grand Parade, where for the first time in its 99-year history it stopped at a specially constructed altar in front of the National Monument.

Many more were waiting there and the participants prayed, listened to the liturgy and benediction, which was celebrated by Bishop Gavin.

The annual Eucharistic Procession passing through St Patrick's Street, Cork in 1928. Picture: Irish Examiner Archive

Crowd estimates varied from 3,500 to around 4,000.

Next year crowds are expected to be even bigger as it will mark the 100th anniversary of the first procession.

That took place in 1926 and was designed in the main part to heal divisions brought about by the Civil War. That parade was attended by tens of thousands of people.