Celebrating Corpus Christi in Cavan

The annual Corpus Christi Procession will take place on Sunday, June 22, after 11:30am Holy Mass from the Cathedral of Saints Patrick & Felim.

The feast of Corpus Christi is a celebration of Christ's Real Presence in the Eucharist. It parallels the celebration on Holy Thursday in commemoration of the institution of this sacrament. When the Eucharist is carried through the streets in solemn procession, the Christian people give public witness of their faith and devotion toward the sacrament of the Eucharist.

Following the distribution of Holy Communion, a monstrance is prepared and placed on the altar. The Prayer after Communion is offered, the Blessed Sacrament is incensed, and the procession then begins.

Father Cy will carry the monstrance under a canopy, which protects the Blessed Sacrament during the procession. This creates a “scared space” that is reserved for the priest carrying the monstrance. The canopy in Cavan will be carried by four members of the Knight of Columbanus.

Children who have received Holy Communion or Confirmation from the eight local national schools will be particularly welcome along with their parents, siblings, relatives and religious teachers to celebrate the holy occasion.

Others attending will include altar servers, readers of the liturgy, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist and many of those attending the Holy Mass.

Parish organisations represented will include the Legion of Mary, Knights of Columbanus, Society of St Vincent de Paul, Eucharistic Adoration members, bible study, prayer and Holy Rosary groups among others.

During the procession, appropriate hymns will be sung, and the Holy Rosary will be recited.

The procession will proceed briefly through the town and return to the cathedral for Benediction and a blessing. The route will go down Church Street, Ashe Street and back to the cathedral via Farnham Road.

The feast of Corpus Christi was first proposed by St Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church to Pope Urban IV; in order to create a feast focused solely on the Holy Eucharist, emphasising the joy of the Eucharist being the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ.

“The faithful who piously participate in solemn Eucharistic procession, especially on the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, may receive a plenary indulgence.”

Speaking at the Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome on June 2, 2024, the late Pope Francis said “Corpus Christi procession is not sign of pride but invitation. Christ's real presence in the Eucharist is a gift to be treasured, lived and shared.”

Liam de Paor who is a member of the organising committee for this year's celebration, along with Liam Devine who is chairperson of the Cavan Eucharistic Adoration Committee, said the event presents "an opportunity for them [people] to proclaim their faith and join together and worship.

"This Corpus Christi procession takes place in every Diocese in the country," he added.

He agreed that there is a great sense of excitement on the day, with many of the participants just after making their Holy Communion, who take "pride of place" in the celebrations.

He said people can line the streets to watch the procession, and "some people decorate their shop" to celebrate the day.

"It's good for their soul and they feel more part of the Church by being involved in the procession. It's like going on pilgrimage, it's just a local event."

"Everybody is welcome to attend and we normally get good weather as well."