Record crowds gathered on a gloriously sunny winter’s day in Melbourne for the solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus (Corpus Christi), with almost 4,000 coming together across the day for the annual Mass and Eucharistic procession. This year was the first time the procession ventured into the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, beginning at St Patrick’s Cathedral then making its way towards Flinders Street and Federation Square, stopping traffic as thousands of pilgrims sang hymns of praise and walked with Christ present in the Eucharist.
Pilgrims of all ages came from across Melbourne to join in the celebration—some from as far as Clyde North and Koo Wee Rup in the southeast—with groups representing various parishes, schools, ecclesial groups and movements.
Bishop Anthony Ireland, who was recently appointed as the next Archbishop of Hobart, was the principal celebrant for the Mass, accompanied by Bishop Martin Ashe and priests and deacons from around the Archdiocese.
‘Soon, the Eucharist will pass among us in the Cathedral and then go before us—through the streets of our city, to Federation Square, into the public square,’ Bishop Ireland said. ‘The Bread of Life will walk where we walk. The Lord will go where we go.
‘This is not a performance. It is a profession: that Jesus Christ is really present, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity. And that changes everything.’
But there lies a tension, Bishop Ireland said, between the transformative love of the Eucharist and what is sometimes perceived as its exclusivity.
‘Today’s readings explode that idea. Melchizedek—a pagan priest-king, worshipping an unfamiliar God—appears in our first reading and in the Eucharistic Prayer. Why? Because God’s vision is bigger than ours. God’s blessing reaches beyond the visible Church. Melchizedek blesses Abraham with bread and wine—a foreshadowing of what would come, a sign that grace is already stirring in unexpected places.
‘In the Gospel, Jesus feeds everyone, not just disciples, not just believers. Everyone who showed up—the curious, the hungry, and those searching—they were all fed. And twelve baskets of leftovers remained, a sign that even those not present are remembered and included.
‘The Eucharist is abundance, not only for private nourishment, but also for universal transformation. So today’s procession is not just a Catholic display, nor is it a moment of pious nostalgia. It is witness.
‘In this Jubilee of Hope, we do not process with pride but with love, urgency and longing. We walk through the city not to impose but to propose: that Jesus is here; that love is real; that hope has a name.’
In this Jubilee of Hope, we do not process with pride but with love, urgency and longing. We walk through the city not to impose but to propose: that Jesus is here; that love is real; that hope has a name.
Led by Bishop Martin Ashe, thousands of pilgrims streamed out of the Cathedral and prayerfully walked along Gisborne Street past Parliament House, Victoria’s Old Treasury Building and down onto Flinders Street. Stopped cars and curious passersby looked on as the procession slowly weaved its way through Melbourne’s CBD. The walk was punctuated by various prayers led by local clergy and laity, including decades of the Rosary and various litanies, as well as traditional hymns such as ‘Anima Christi’ and ‘Ubi Caritas’ (from Taize).
As the procession approached Federation Square, there was a palpable sense of excitement among those walking, some holding up banners, rosaries, crucifixes and even pictures of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Bishop Ashe led the crowd in the final blessing and benediction, and as he lifted up the Blessed Sacrament, a reverent silence fell upon the usually bustling city space. Fittingly, that silence was interrupted only by the crowd’s rapturous renditions of the hymns ‘Salve Regina’ and ‘How Great Thou Art’.
‘I think it’s so beautiful that we get to walk in the streets of Melbourne with Jesus, just like he walks with us,’ shared Kyle Correya, a youth leader from St Peter’s, Epping, who participated in the day with his dad and uncle. ‘We get to share [Jesus’] love with the whole of Melbourne today!’
Leisel from St Mary’s in Greensborough attended the event with her two daughters and sister, and described it as a ‘wonderful celebration and witness to Christ’. Her daughter, Nicole, echoed these sentiments, saying, ’It was so special to walk with Christ through the streets of Melbourne.’ It was Leisel’s daughters who suggested attending the event after not being able to make it in 2024.
‘So we said weather permitting, as long as it’s not pouring, we will come. And what a day it has turned out to be! God just worked everything out.’
Elaine from Koo Wee Rup said she was ‘incredibly inspired’ by the event and felt excited to be around so many Catholics. ‘It’s incredible to see how big the community is around all of Melbourne.’ Her friend Marco agreed. ‘This is my first [Corpus Christi procession] as I became a Catholic last Easter, but it was really nice being here. Being with a multitude of other believers was really encouraging and edifying, and it was so peaceful. I loved it!’
Sunday’s Mass and procession drew a number of lay ecclesial movements, including the Neocatechumenal Way, of which there were almost 150 members in attendance. Young adults Catherine and Eve from St Peter’s in Coburg attended along with other members and felt deeply encouraged by the event.
Sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming, and you can feel a bit alone in your faith, but being here today was so beautiful.
‘We’re all so different and we don’t know each other but we all have one thing in common,’ said Catherine. ‘We all believe in Jesus Christ, and we know that he loves us, and so I’m really happy to be here today.’
‘Sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming, and you can feel a bit alone in your faith, but being here today was so beautiful,’ shared Eve. ‘It was really encouraging.’
Older couple Thi and Bao attended the Mass and Eucharistic procession for the first time. ‘I didn’t know about it last year, so I’m glad I attended today,’ said Thi. The couple, who usually attend the St Vincent Liem Centre in Flemington, shared how they felt especially buoyed by the presence of so many young people at the event. ‘This made me very happy and hopeful,’ said Bao. ‘And now every year I will come!’
