Participants in the third annual Dublin Eucharistic and Marian Procession make their way through the city centre on August 16, with the Blessed Sacrament carried beneath a canopy. Photo: Pedro Esteva Calls have been made for more public displays of Catholic faith after worshippers braved persistent rain for the third annual Dublin Eucharistic and Marian Procession on Sunday.
Organiser Karen Brady said the Croí Íosa team had already been approached by people asking when the next procession would take place, while others told them they would “love to do this in our own town”.
The August 16 procession began at St Nicholas of Myra Church on Francis Street before making its way through Dublin city centre and concluding with Mass at St Andrew’s Church, Westland Row.
Mrs Brady said participants had spoken afterwards of the “relief and joy” they experienced seeing the procession, particularly as hymns and music accompanied the Blessed Sacrament through the city. The procession also paused outside Leinster House, where a priest raised the monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament and imparted a blessing over Ireland’s parliament.
“We may never know the graces that yesterday brought to the streets of Dublin,” she said, adding that the day demonstrated the importance of perseverance in faith despite setbacks.
The procession followed an invitation from organisers before the event for Catholics who had drifted from the Church to “come home”.
That theme was echoed by Edmundo, a young Mexican Catholic who travelled from Limerick with members of the Legion of Mary. Living far from his family, he said Catholic communities had given him a sense of belonging since moving to Ireland.
“When there’s a Catholic church, it feels like home,” he told The Irish Catholic, adding that such communities provided a welcoming place for young people “of any nationality”.
Dublin woman Carmel, who only heard about the procession that morning, said public expressions of faith could prompt onlookers to consider “what they want in life” and whether they wanted “to come back to God”.
Another participant, Rachel, described processing through busy shopping streets as both encouraging and vulnerable, saying such events could give Catholics confidence to witness to their faith in everyday life. “You’re with people and you’re doing something bold without doing it alone,” she said.
Despite the rain, passers-by stopped to watch, photograph and record the procession as hymns and prayers sounded through the city streets.