We need the Eucharist to sustain us on our spiritual journey: without it our commitment to God will wane.

“We are a community which needs the food of a covenant meal, celebrated in community to keep our identity clear and help us to grow in our commitment to the Lord through the power of the Spirit,” remarked Archbishop Edward Gilbert at this year’s Corpus Christi celebration, “We must work every day at keeping Eucharist alive in our hearts.”

Our Eucharistic faith - Jun 13 to Catholic faithful from the stage constructed in the cathedral car park, the archbishop described the Eucharist as “the symbol of self-sacrificing love, of food for the journey and of hope for the future.”

He commented that at times when people receive the Eucharist “you can tell from their body language it’s not an important event in their life. It’s just something they do, and it shouldn’t be that way. It’s a precious moment that sustains you for a journey.”

See Archbishop Column for the full text of the homily.

Vicar for Administration Msgr Jason Gordon and Judicial Vicar and Vicar for Priests Fr Joe Harris, CSSp were among the concelebrating priests. Permanent Deacons Revs Derek Walcott and Michael Smith assisted the archbishop. Deacon Smith proclaimed the Gospel.

Corpus Christi College in procession.

The Corpus Christi Mass and procession at the Cathedral – one of several churches celebrating the Solemnity across the archdiocese – were held under sunny skies.

Scouts, cubs, girl guides and brownies were out in their numbers and stood along the side of the stage. Print and electronic media workers stood near the entrance to cover the event.

After the Mass, the procession moved along Independence Square South to the small stage near the Central Bank “Twin Towers” for Benediction, then returned to the cathedral along Independence Square North without incident. There seemed to be a good turnout of students from Catholic primary and secondary schools.

Celebrations concluded with Benediction and the promise that next year’s celebration will be much bigger as the archdiocesan theme will focus on revitalising Catholic culture and identity.

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Raymond Syms photos

Good turnout of RC school students.

Guides came out in their numbers.